Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1869-09-30
Teachers Column.
Organ Of the Teachers Association.
PKOF. j. II. K.JOHNSTON, y r..o,
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An Element in Successful Teach
! ing.
An excellent teacher knows what
to impart and ho'o to impart it, 50 that
his pupils shall be interested in his
narrative. This faculty is akin to that
possessed by the orator. There are
many teachers whose minds are full
enough of instruction, but the manner
in which they impart it is so devoid of
interest, that their pupils suffer more
than the pupils Of men Of less learning,
but gifted with tact and energy.
A dull teacher is never blessed with
good pupils. The occupation Of teach
ing is one full Of interest, and if there
be one who has learned to make it a
mere routine, let him leave the field to
better man.
No one, whose soul is not easily and
always enkindled by reading the
thoughts of the great, or by some magic
touch of the pen or pencil Of genius,
can expect to hold in sympathy the
tccming mind of childhood. To sue
coed here, one must love the employ
ment. If it is not too great for him,
he will love it. No mechanical teach
irg will succeed. The teacher must be
in. just the condition he is striving to
bring his pupil into-full of interest.
He should seize the subject with a
perfect enthusiasm; convey his truths
all in fame and they will leave an
impression that will endure. But he
need not be boisterous, and talk in a
loud tone of voice. A noisy teacher is
rarely-1 might say never-an inter-
esting one. To teach we'll, one must
of course sacrifice himself; but he will
not deem it useless sacrifice, if he can
thus buoy up his young immortals. He
who would communicate proper fer
vor to other minds, must be full Of ger-
uine fervor himself; like lcavcn, it wi l
communicate itself to the whole. A
teacher must come to his work full of
disinterested desire to improve his pu-
pills. He must be pure-hearted.
There must be an earnest spi,it with
in the man, that carries conviction to
each ones heart, that he is just what
he seems. A teacher should have
good thoughts. He should be stu
dent himself, and bring some of bis
treasures to the sight of his pupils. He
should show them that he is in search
of just such wealth as they seek.
Let him not fear to select for them a
beautiful truth, from any science. They
should thus be constantly taught that
their teacher has many bright gems #
thought in his mind-that they are his
choicest treasures. His language
should be simple, yet vigorous, convey
ing in a few terms just what is inten-
ded. A teacher should never have less
love for subject, because he has taught
it long. He should be interested in his
pupils, and the subject will be new
When Che mind springs out to help a
scholar trying to escape from the dark
ness 5y which he is encompasscd, the
sympathies are aroused, aud efforts are
made to simplify subject the teacher
thought he perfectly understood. tits
just this state of mind that hasproduced
so many excellent school books.
A teacher,in passing over his ground.
often fnds means to reduce the number
of principles, and teaches these better
every time.
True teaching educates the heart as
we'll as the intellect. Never allow one
to be developed at the expense Of the
other. Ifthe feelings Of children are
not kept alive in the school-room, their
interest in their studies will die also.
The manner Of the instructor will be
such as to indicate the presence Of deep
feeling; he must be always in earnest,
and never frivolous.
The scholar who suspects that his
teacher is not what he should be, will
have no confidence in mankind. A
teacher should be above mistrust.
The pupil who believes that, out Of
the school-room, his teacher will take q
course his conduct within it condemns,
will not improve in either mind Or
heart. The confidence existing between
a son and his father, is not more sacred
than that which should and may exist
between the pupil a.-d his teacher.
10 succeed in teaching, one must
be perfectly at home in his subject, and
plead earnestly and fluently as model
advocate for his clients life. Above
all things, do it with consciousness
that you are working on impressible
material ; and if with a right spirit
you will have success. If you are sue
cessful, you will oulyssbc SO when yoo
have found short and certain road tt
your pupils attention and affection.
| DANIEL WEBSTER once said II
had as many sons as old Priam,
would send them to the Public Schools.
JOHNSON & Bro. are selling
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Readv-maIe Clothing at FRS