Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-05-02
Orr Common Schools.

The Office of Experimenting School
Committee is very important one. The
condition aud character of the schools in
the town are very much in the ratio Of at.
tention which they receive from the Com
mittec Perhaps there is M office in the
gift Of the State, that can effect so much
good for the rising generation. rs well
educated and efficient committee. They
mould the character OF the generation in
which they live.
Much of their efficiency is lost by the
disposition of many TO employ the teach.
crs independently OF the committee
This /; wrong, aud il was in pant the de-
sign of The law transferring the power of
employing tho teacher from tho agent Ia
the committee. with the hope of remedy.
ing this and other evils. Could we have
men oil education and leisure, who have
a fondness for school Offices, il would be
vastly better for our schools, for them to
employ the teachers. Unfortunately. in
country towns and villages we have few
such men, and there are few committees
who wish. or can afford to take upon
themselves the entire care of the schools.
Even in such case. believe that the
committee should consult with the agent
and district III the employment OF the
teacher, when practicable. They should
be unit in the matter or there will he
| discord.
The best remedy for these difficulties.
by which the committee can maintain
their authority without giving oifense. is
to have n written examination and issue
u graded certificate. This will show the
teacher just where he stands without in.
jury to either party. lie is of little nc.
count anywhere who does not find some
body to oppose him. A consciousness Of
doing our duty and lhc evidence that our
labors are not in vain. should lead Us di.
rectly onward in the earnest discharge Of
all that Is required of us.
No committee or agents have right to
act arbitrarily in The matter of choosing
their teachers without consulting the feel
ings and wishes of the citizens, while on
the other hand, they should be allowed to
exercise their Judgment rs free from in
reference rs possible. No other town
officer would think of assuming any i'm.
portant responsibility without consulting
public sentiment. Not only should COM
mittccs consult with the citizens but with
the teachers. agent. County Supervisor.
and State Superintendent, when oppUrtu.
nifty may offer There Is common bond
of interest and duty running TN ough all
these offices.
1t is true that the experimenting
School Committee man, who strives to
perform his duty. often feels discouraged.
He feels that he Is not exerting any in
nuencc. IL is not 50. Every remark he
makes, and every question he presents to
both teacher and pupil. will be felt thro'
all future time. Every one past the mid.
die period Ct life recalls some faithful
man in the town, whose memory is fra
grant with the thought that he influenced
many a boy and girl Tor good. \ word
of communication rather than of fault
finding. should characterize all that he
says rs lar rs possible. 1t stimulates
youth to greater effort, and they, in turn,
will rise up and call them blessed.
As the Summer schools will soon COM
mence, would respectfully suggc 81, that
committees impress upon teachers the
importance of dcvisinS means by which
they shall keep the little ones Interested
and employed II is not enough that
they merely hear the child read and spell
occupying four or live minutes during
the half day. and The rest OF the time lie
idle and full OF mischief for want OF
something to do. Now there Nc teach.
els in this County who can keep children
employed and interested. but their mum
bers should be much increased. do not
mean that they should compel little chill
drcn to keep their eyes on the book by
the hour This is the poorest kind OF
poor teaching, and should not be practic-
ed. have visited many schools where
from one.third to c-half of the children
were idle. This should not be, and one
of the great steps towards a reform in
our schools. is TO devise methods by
which the intellectual activity of children
should be kept awake, by u variety ofeX
ercises in the school. Committees can
frequently suggcsl such methods as shall
effect the desired object.
trust ,ha, the present year. will eX-
hibt rs much faithfulncSs in the discharge
of duties n, during the last year, and that
they will lccl tina! there is a healthy and
steady advance in The condition of orr
schools. | am certain that there is no
estimating by dollars and cents, the value
of a committee To town who can them
selves sec any progress in the schools
under their charge. which may be brot
about through their fundamentally.
SUPERIOR.