The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1868-05-14
Better Schools and Better
Teachers.

been our aim to show that higher stand |
ard of qualification for teaching must be
demanded and that higher wages must be
paid as means of bringing about better
grade of schools and Of securing a better
corps Of teachers. To this end it is also es-
sential that there should be a graduation
Of teachers wages. Successful experience
ahal.I,- eesurs.s,,e.--e premium, and such
premium az will stimulate to exertion for
better preparations, ard more thorough
appreciation of the principles Of teaching.
There is no reason why this department OF
abor should be made an exception to all
others in this respect On the contrary, the
deepas5 consideration would seem to indi-
cato that in this, much more than in any
other, discrimination should be mado.
A merchant would hardly tllink Of allow
ing a raw hand the full compensation given
to ono who had grown up in the business.
Although the applicant may have frequently
seen the business performed by others, may
himself have had dealings with clerks in
the purchase Of goods, may have studied
the theories and principles of trade, may
be expert in figures, may be honest, pleas
ing in his address, may possess even other
necessary qualifications, and may imagine
himself equal to the position yet if he
has never been placed behind the coun-
ter, dealt out goods, and experienced come
Of the responsibilities, difficulties and per-
p!exities incident to the position, he must
content himself with a subordinate place,
at the wages Of subordinates until he has
proved himself capable and worthy Of pro-
motion, or seek other occupation. That
business man who sho uld have little regard
as to whom ne employed, or in what pos
itions be placed them, needless of qualifica-
ton, renumsrating alike the man Of expert
ence and the novice the diligent and the lazy
the honest and dishonest, would soon for
felt any respectable reputation he might
have acquired and his claims to the posses
sion of ordinary common sense. Now if
this superstition ID true as regards business
OpOIdbiOu63 Au hA0 hOOiCA SOH1OJ
ia it applicable to our subject the channel
through which flow mental aud moral dis
cipline, and the accumulation Of knowledge
, 4 person may have attended school for
years, may have mastered the branches
pursued, and studied the art of teaching
from the students standpoint may even
Is,naaif IN anfo az cnn
upon the successful discharge of the func-
tons of the teacher yet he will find too
soon, that something more is required than
simple acquaintance with the branches of
study, to be able to teach them well, that
there is wide difference between the stud
ents point Of observation and that Of the in-
structor, that theory and practice are separ
ated by gulf which Can only be bridged
by actual experience, and that although !
previous requirements may wonderfully as
sist it requires vastly more to make the
true and practical teacher
There should be thorough appreciation
of the elevated nature Of the work to be
performed, that Of properly
directing the unfolding mind, and so mould
ing it as to produce the beautiful symmetry
of which it is capable, and of so shaping
and ohiseling the ohiIds nature that the
angel may be brought forth from the rough |
block Of marble.
Thus we see how wide is the range Of
qualification for the duties of the school
room, conseq uently how great is the injus-
tice Of compromising all alike,or even near
ly SO, and of Eemuuerating those of the
highest fitness only to dat extent which
mere tyros receive. Districts ought never
to be guilty of employing nen who cannot
earn at least what is now usually paid,
since such of course are totally unfit for I
so high resp onsibilities. But let those who
are capable, by their superior qualification
and experience Of earning more, whether
male or female, be paid in proportion to
their ability and aptness for the work, and
to the labor actually performed. That ben
efcial results would flow from such prac
tice, in producing better teachers in slim
ulating 10 greater efforts to become worthy
ofhigher positions, and Of advancing the
common school system in every respect
3 must be obvious to every candid mind to
require further elaboration. When decisive
action is taken in this direction, we may
confidently hope for more rapid progress in
carrying forwa. the great cause Of eduoa
ting tins masses. sHe Ete /
"A