Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-03-16

competency when teacher voluntari-
ly shrinks from this ordeal. The
truth is, our public examinations
amount to but little or nothing. The
superintendent announces the day; at
the appointed time he makes his ap-
pearance to attend to the duties Of
his office; for at least one hour, he is
left to his own cogitations, then one,
perhaps two teachers make their ap-
pearance and about the same number
composing his audience. This is no
exaggeration, but the experience of
one half the superintendents in the
county.
This should be corrected, the
teachers and patrons of the school
mingling together on that day. Every
district deserves a good school; then
secure a good teacher; interest your
self enough in their behalf to hear
them examined; your counsel and ad-
vice at such times is invaluable to
teacher and superintendent. This
want OF sympathy and cooperation on
the part OF parents is the greatest ob-
stacle to the success of our schools. |
believe parents for the most part wish
to do right in this respect. You love
your children; you wish them we'll !;
nothing gladdens your heart like hear
ing cOmmendable report of them
from your teacher or neighborhood.
Parents, | believe, rely to much upon
the report of their teachers, their
children or superintendent. This
will not do 1t is not enough that
your child says, we have a good
school, or that your neighbOr forms
the same opinion. Go and see and
judge for yourself. Nothing cheers a
teacher like Jhis-to know that the
fathers and mothers are interested is
a great consolation to the teacher, and
does more towards opening his soul,
and kIndling his zeal than all other
incentives combined. When in his
presence commend everything that is
commendabIe, taking the same liberty
In correcting everything worthy of
cen8ure; there will thus arise an in
tlmacy between teacher and parent
working like magic upon the influence
OF the school. Take no little pains
to question your children on their re-
turn from school, in regard to the
studies pursued through the day. A
careful, discerning parent may tell
/ pretty we'll how the school is getting
along. DO this mainly to encourage
your child rather than to ascertain
the merits of your teacher. A more
reliable means of getting at the latter
has already been prescribed Many a
teacher mas failed in properly govern
ing his school, for want of support
needed from the district.
The trouble is, scholars are not
governed at home. A teacher soon
discovers the truth OF this nine cases
out of of every ten of those who at
tempt to resist a teachers AUTHORITY
or are at all rebellious, are the stub
born, wiIltul, pampered children at
home, II the teacher fails Of making
one Of these pets extremely tractable
in three months, the school is pro-
nOunced a failure, while the teacher
! is encOunterlng at the same time, not
only the counteracting influences of
injudicious parents, from day to day,
but what Is worse, the obstinate ma
ture of the child, now rendered almost
unSusceptibIe from long years OF in
discretion and indulgence. A deli
cate female is left to the tender mer-
cles of a great, Overgrown boy, who
has become unmanageabIe at home.
If she have nerve and muscle sufficient
to subdue him in an open hand to
hand" encounter, all is well but if
not, she is doomed to suffer the indig.
nation which will inevitably be heap
ed upon her. With three exceptions
the teachers employed in town for the
gear were females, and am pleased tC
state that in nearly every instance
they received all necessary support
and sympathy from the patrons Of the
schools. School committees are care
less with the rest of US, seldom erer
and many Of them ReUer visiting the
schools through the year. This is al
= wrong; encourage your teacher by
/ making her at least two visits, one al
= the opening and another later in the
term. Make all needful suggestions
they will be kindly received come tC
decision yourself, report the same
to your neighbors at your annua
school meeting; talk over the pro
: priety of retaining the same teacher
5 another term. If you have a gooC
? teacher in view, feel generous enough
to pay fair compensation per weel
2 or month. What are few dollars Ii
: comparison to a genuine teacher, on,
who is all alive to the wor k, williD!
to sacrifice something if need be fo
t the good ofyour children ? Such teach
4 ers are found in all our towns, thos'
who have spared neither pains or ez
: pense to prepare themselves for thei
field of usefulness. Such should b
patronlzed, and such only. By thi
r practice on the part of districts, non
t but the fully competent would eve
e apply for situations. Thanks to ou
e Legislators, the time is near whel
e none but the best can be sanctioned
e as teachers. In view, then, my friends
5 of our duties and ever increasing re
e sponsibllities connected with this mer
= itoriOus work, let US arise and togetf
r er make our schools blessing to ou
t children, an honor to the several CON
: munities in which we dwell.
), N. B. DAVIS.
The city ordinances of Mont Pleas
I ant, Iowa, prohibit boys under eigl
teen years of age from visiting bill
e lard rooms.