Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1869-10-06
TIKI SCHOOL TEACHER.

our experience and observation.
The avocation of the teacher,-of him
or her who is to act an important part in
forming the character of youth, on whom
the duties Of life are subsequently, TO de-
volve, Is one fraught with no small
amount. of responsibility. ar. 49,.
1t is unquestionahly true that because
this faci has not been sufficiently realized,
that the interests of education have suffer,
ed materially, not only in this, bat in
other sections of our country. -,
Teaching, should, in our estimation, be
made and regarded as q profession, for
which Tire aspirant should be thoroughly
prepared by previous course of study
and discipline. Ii is not more necessary
n the profession of divinity, law or med
icine, that those who offer their services 10
the public in either one of these capaci-
ties, should he qualified for the duties
they assume, andwhich will in the pros
fession of the choice devolvc On them
10y long course of systematic training
ttian it is for those who aspire To the hon
orxble. Important and responsible aYoca-
ton OF instructors of youth. Many fol-
low il for time, not because they take
an interest in it; not because they feel
adapted TO it, nor because they wish TO
render themselves useful in that capacity,
but because circumstances render il con
venient for them TO adopt it as tempo
rary employment. Such a ieacher,-One
whose heart is not in his worldwide
cares more for the small amount he is to
receive, than he does for the Improvement
of bis pupils; or one who is conscious that
he is not adapted to, nor qualified for, the
duties that are to devSve on bin; cannot
possibly he of The same benefit 10 those be
instructs-.
One great defect in our present system
of education, is the fact that there are too
many employed as teachers in our CONS
mon schools, who are not only destitute
of an adequate preparation, but avail
themselves Of this means of temporary
employment, and obtaining livelihood,
simply because they are aware Of their
unftress for any other calling. Such
.'gain access to the sactuary of mind, and
the most tender interests for both worlds
are entrusted to their guidance, even when
they make prctentions TO no higher mo-
tives than that of occupying brief period
lof time, not otherwise appropriated, and
to no qualifications but those attained by
accident"
The subloined statement from thepen of
a late writer, in the Journal Of Edu ca
ton. unfortunately for the interests of the
cause Of education, and the present
and the future well being of the
the rising geneI alton. contains too much
truth. lie says Every stripping who
has pas, four years within the walls OF
college; every dissatisfied clerk who has
not ability. enough 20 manage the lis
fling concerns of a common retail shops
every young farmer who obtains in winter
a short vacation from the tolls of summer,
in short, every young person who is
conscious of his inability in other business,
, esteems himself fully competent to train
the weakness of infancy into all the wis,
dom and power of mature years,--ta form.
creature, the frailest and feeblest that
Heaven has made unto the intelligent and
. and fearless sovereign of the whole ami
, mated creation, the interpreter and adorer
, and almost the representative of Diyin>
r ity!"
The great reason, in our estimation, why
we have so many deficient teachers, and
consequently so many superficial scholars
3 is, that by far too many enter upon the
e high enjoyment Of teaching the young
idea how too shoot;" as secondary OBJ
ject. The remedy lies, as has already
: been suggested. in elevating the business
; of teaching to the dignity of a profession,
G and requiring all who enter upon 1t to
possess thorough preparation.
We ere glad to know that there is, as
there should be, already established. in
stitulions for the specific purpose; &c
teach the art of teaching until the stand'
= ard of teachers is elevated; until those
who have made use Of the necessary
f means to obtain tue requisite qualifications
!. until the true sentiment prevails that Tho
o defects of teacher are not accessible Oh
the plea of ignorance, and that ignorance
= instead OF being paliaiion, is in ITSELF
l. fragrant and agrayating crime, we shal
r continue to endure the deplorable conse
5 quenccs of inefficient teachers, and super
4 fetal scholars.
4 So much for the duties incumbent or
those who would become instructors oil
youth, previous to entering upon their iu
lies. The duties OF tie teacher, so far Al
e qualification is concerned, do not, howey
{ er, cease upon being admitted Il
G that responsible station 1t is his dutl
o still to be a student, hard, unremiitin,
3 student. He should remember that sucl
. a thing as fnalily or perfection in literar.
y attachments is seldom or never acquired
but what is regarded as finaliiy, flies lIk
gossamer before investigation.
by repeated reviews, he should keel
Is himself familiar with the studies pursued
IS by his pupils in advance OF them, so tina
= be may be able to readily impart hi
a knowledge to them. This is an iinpor
m tant acquisition CD the part of the teacher
'r Many fall at this point in not possessing