The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1869-07-15
Something for the Present.

Something for the Present.
Mention was made last week Of
Normal Schools. 1t we are fortunate
enough to have action taken on the
subject at the next General Assem-
bly,, it must be some time before we
can have the schools established on
good working basis. There should
be something for the interim. We
have teachers in our county today,
that have a very correct idea Of what
they are expected to do. Some seem
to say, II can parse; can do the
sums in the arithmetic; can read
pretty we'll, and can ask questions in
geography; therefore, I am prepared
to teach"
r To be able to do these things is
necessary, but there is more that is
necessary, of which they seem to be
ignorant. With some, this ability
to read character, to determine the
best method of instruction for each
pupil, and to secure rapid and thor
Dug ID development in each lndivid-
ual case, will be easily acquired
With others, it will be the unaccom-
plished work of . lifetime, unless
they have especial training. Some
are natural mechanics, othcrs become
so by careful study and practice,
while others, still, never become ehi-
cient with . life Of training. We
find few persons that appear to be
natural teachers. they take to teach
ing as naturally as . duck does to
water. They are always successful.
They seem to do the right thing at
the right time, and in the right way.
But the majority become so by con-
tinued practice, or training, or both.
A few, with all the culture and prac-
tice, seem to be out of place. Such
should not continue to teach.
1t IS tor this second class that We
should do something. If let alone,
to be sure, ate. time they will be-
come practical educators; but the
number OF immortal minds to which
they may give an imperfect growth
is of infinitely more value than the
money and time required to give
them correct ideas before they begin.
may repeat that, if we can get
our Legislature to appropriate means
for the establishment of Normal
Schools, it win be some years before
the pupils educated there will be
ready to take charge Of our schools.
The teachers that are to care for
our schools during this interim must
be cared for.
1t seems to me that If we could
have q class of teachers together dur
ing August, we might become better
fitted to receive those good wages
the directors are going to vote US
this fall. think the good teachers,
and those wishing to become so, wo'd
like such an arrangement. The ser.
vices of q good training teacher can
be secured for . moderate sum, snd q
convention Of q month would be of
great service to us. The valuable
thoughts of each one might thus be-
come the effective property Of ALL
Even q months instruction from a
thoroughly trained teacher, would
be invaluable to us.
see but one impediment. The
teacher can be secured, the teachers
will come together, and the room fol
holding the class, I think, can be got
ten; but how will boarding be se.
cured? know that teachers ARK
not able to pay five dollars week
for board, whom they are making NO
money. Were they willing to do 80,
they have Mt the means. Individu
ally. am not concerned, for I live
near enough our county seattle
most convenient place for rs to meet
Ito attend from home. And ! will
further offer to board as many as will
walk the distance with me, and q
our little shanty will hold, gratis
Is it not possible that the good peo.
pie of Ottumwa will open their
hearts, and accommodate these teach
ers that are striving for light? The
little town of Whitehall, ILL.,, q town
one-fourth as large as this, accommo
date nearly one hundred teache fol
a week, every year, free of charge
and on the announcement of . teach
| ers' Institute, immediately extends q
hearty, public invitation. l believe
the people here are just as benevo
lent. Will they not prove my belief
correct, by boarding these teachers
if we can secure this convention?
If the County Superintendent will
issue = call to the teachers to meet
soon to determine the matter, l think
we may arrange everything by the
1st of August.
l feel perfectly sure that . conven
ton of this nature will be of great
benefit, and, as l do not want that
we should claim pay for work We dc
not do, and, as we are to get better
wages next year than we have had
heretofore, most strongly urge the
matter. Meanwhile, we must moi
forget that we need Normal Schools.
fI Hy- d.
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