The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1869-01-21
Is the Teacher Sufficiently
Paid ?

is particularly true of those holding first
and second grade certificates.
We do not propose to enter into any
extended argument to prove our position,
but beg leave to present few figures, as
nothing can be more satisfactory 80 the
teachers mind, than mathematical en-
onstration
Qualifications sufficient to obtain third
grade certificate may possibly be acquired,
by close application at acommon school;
but if the individual be not satisfied with
this he is confronted by years of study
and huge bill Of expense. Let us exam
inc this matter We will suppose he has
recently left the common school, passed an
examination in which six-tenths of the
questions asked were required to be an
swered correctly, received his third grade
cert, and taught his first term He is now
informed that to obtain second grade, he
must answer eight -tenths of the questions
asked including the additional branches of
q. S. History Physical Geography and AL
zebra. He at once enters school for the
purpose ofqualifying himself, and after at
least eighteen months Of study he is ena-
bled to obtain the desired certificate But
upon presenting himself before school
board for the responsible position of char
acter moulder Of the rising generation of
the district, he finds said board to care
little or nothing for the grades" They
proceed to dampen his ardor by informing
him of their determination to pay just $40
per month, neither more nor less, and they
are ready to engage the first teacher who
will accept of that sum. Our hero,
Through necessity most heartily and en-
Enthusiastically acquiesces; and at the close
of the term, without waiting to count the
cost, strikes for the highest grade. He is
now confronted with the fact that he must
give correct replies to nine-tenths of the
questions the Superintendent may see fit
to ask upon all the previous branches, with
another addition to the list This is the
little column that stares him in the face
Nine -tenths Of all questions upon each of
the following branches to be correctly an
swered. Theory and Practi ce of Teaching
Reading, Penmanship Grammar, Orthog
raphy, Orthoepy, Geography, Mental
Arithmetic, Written Arith., U. S. History
Physical Geography, Physiology, Algebra,
Natural Philosophy and Geometry; but he
is bold of heart and again enters some
high-school, seminary or college, and after
another year and half of severe mental
labor, reaches the required standard and
becomes the happy possessor ola well
earned first grade certificate. He feels
that he ought to receive increased wages
to correspond with his increased qualiti
cations and standing, and after much labor
spent in search ofthis increase, possibly,
some school district, plying his forlorn
condition, offers him the munlfcent salery
of $50 per month for third of year. He
accepts; and at the close of some day of
trial and vexation, when the last of the
stay-after-school-e is gone, and the room
is deserted save by him. he asks the ques
tion, cam l sufficiently paid?'' He turns
to the board, and with bit of crayon in
his fingers, makes few figures and arrives
at result
Seating himself with his elbow
upon the desk and his head upon his
hand, ne thus soliloquises; "When closed
my first term, felt that had not been
paid. Since then have spent three of the
best years ofmy life in study during
which my time was worth at least one
dollar per day, amounting to thousand
dollars in all My board, tuition, books
aud other necessary expenses amounted to
as much more in cash. This gives total
of S., 900; constituting my stock in trade
When capitalist invests all he possesses,
he is anxious that the Investment shall be
safe, and is content with moderate in.
terest arising therefrom. But if he place
it where greatrisk is incurred, he does SO in
expectation of great returns. have placed
my whole capital in great jeopardy;I have
locked up $4,000 worth of time and mon
ey in my own life, and am liable to die
at any moment; and since this great risk
attends my investment, it is no more than
natural that should expect great divi-
bends. But how is it? This district re-
fuses to hire me for longer term than
four months ina year, and pays me $500