The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1870-01-27
To the Friends of Education

Afew words concerning'our schools
may not be out Of season.
On looking up the Superintendent
books, | find that there are one hun
dred and twenty-threc teachers in
the county, fifty-six ladies, and sixty
seven gentlemen. Among the ladies
are twenty-five First Glass Ccrtii
Gates, and thirty one Second Class -
Among the gentlemen thirty-six First
Glass, and thirty-one Second Glass.
1t is very desirable that the nuns
Der of First Glass Certificates should
be increased, and that of the Second
Glass diminished. Will not every
holder of a Second Glass Certificate
make an earnest effort to substitute
it with a First Glass, at the next ex-
animation? l shall with the editors
consent) publish q list of the names
of persons holding certificates of the
First Grade, that school officers may
know whore to find first class teach
ers. ! am also very anxious to have
the name of every teacher in the
county in that list.
There will be public examination
of teachers at the Court House on the
last Saturday Of every month, and, as
| do not desire to place myself in a
position to be accused, or even
suspected of partiality, desire that
all persons wishing certificates to
teach, may attend this examination.
l do not want it said that | gave any
one certificate for dollar. IF pos
sible, shall have itarranged SO that
there will be two public examinations
in month. Then there will be no ex-
cuse for persons not attending those
examinations.
Teachers desiring positions are re-
quested to write to me, stating their
capacity and the grade Of school, and
wages wanted. School officers are
also requested to correspond with
me on the subject of schools, and in
any manner in which can be of use,
| am ready to assist. l hope to be-
come the mutual friend of teach err
and director.
| am now visiting the schools of
the county, and am spending day
each school. III find teacher do.
ing real well, and holding certificate
of the Second Grade, shall put in it's
place one of the First Grade and if
find teacher doing poorly with a
certificate of the First Grade, shall
substitute it with one of the Second
| Grade.
1desire to visit each school in the
| County; and teachers will confer o
special favor by writing to me, sta
ting for how long a term they are
enga ged, and when it closes. shall
be glad to hear OF Township Teach
ers' Institutes and shall lend any
assistance l can in making them
profitable and interesting.
The year 1870 has just begun. Let
us 60 to our work with renewed Wig
or 1t is impossible for one person
alone to effect anything i'll this mat
ter. 1t is only combined effort that
tells. If | work without the assist
ance Of the patrons and teachers, my
abors will be Of no avail. But, if W G
all work together, much will be done
in elevating tho standard of our
schools. Let US labor so earnestly
and in such harmony that Wapello
county may become noted for its in.
telligencc and piety.
At the solicitation of the teacher
or patrons, | will meet the citizens of
any sub district, on any evening "to
talk oachother brave" on the subject
Of education.
I desire to thank my friends for
the position they have given me, and
to express the hope that, when they
find me in error they will make me
the first person whom they tell of it.
1t may not then be necessary to tell
any one else.
Earnestly hoping that ] may have
the help Of every friend Of education
| remain,
Very respectfully,
LII. G. COX,
Supt Common Schools.
Ottumwa, Jan. u, 1870.