The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1871-01-31
THE GOOD DIRECTOR.
An Essay for the Tedchers' Institute,
January session, A. ID. 1871.
BY SAMUEL d. IRWIN.

Pens have been active, and the ,
orators of the schools have never been
silent in extolling the "Model Teach
err" All have frequently heard of
him, but none have ever seen him, be-
cause he never existed. Fine spun
theories have been advanced backed /
up by apparently good logic of the
manner of arriving at perfection in
the Art Of teaching, but human fatty
has always been in the way Of carrying
out to the letter these inaugurated the
ories.
At former session of the Teachers
Institute of Forest county, there was
an essay read by an imported lecturer,
who came thither with an essay cut and
dry upon the subject of the "Model
Teacher" listened to it with great sat
isfaction, and some some degree of be-
wilderment at the lofty style in which
the subject was handled. He, on that
occasion, remember, portrayed
model man, handy at every thing he
undertook, one who could with equal
facility soar among tho stars, moon
and clouds, or start the fire on a frosty
morning at country school house,
and carry out the ashes afterwards,
while meantime the freezing children
we're shivering around the fire and
wondering if it was going to be any
colder But the aforesaid individual
imported as aforesaid, to portray as
asoresaid, the model teacher as afore-
said, left big link out of his chain of
argument by not also describing the
"Model Director" This 1 will en-
deavor to do in faint manner, re-
membering che who does the best he
can does we'll"
"I shall portray the charaters
Which in his lovely life he bears"
The good director from my stand
point Of view is the very bone and
sinew, joints and marrow of a good
school organization, he is "the wheel
within wheel" that runs the machine
ry of our schools. The gladstone
children see him coming afar off, they
shout with joy, che comes, he comes -
The good director pulls the wires
and cords behind the scenes that
moves the gay poppets at the front, in
fact he is the sine qua non of a perfect
school organization.
The good director inspects the school
house frequently, not omitting to ex-
anime even the fues and stove pipes.
The good director encourageth the
teacher to to proceed to his duty at the
early morn, and not to slumber or
sleep when the canticleer doth crow to
, awaken sleepy world.
! The good director both by precept
/; and example encourageth the scholar,
to pursue his lawful avocations, to he
servant of the teacher whom he (the
, scholar) is to look upon as a guardian
Angel who will lead him on the road
to honor and prosperity.
The good director is down on stu
dents or scholars playing, or endeavor-
ing to play, or melting other scholars
to play the truant, he generally eschew'
ing evil of this description in partic'
ular.
The good director is not absent from
r his post when the trumpet os duty calls
: and sounds. His quiet ear will duly
e hear it and he will be on hands every
|. time
The good director takes special de-
light in the mirthful prittle prattle ol
the dear children, and their merry
+ wives charm his ardent and benevolent
= heart like "music sweeping Ger the
sea-"
The good directors heart is set on
! the district school, he must be as true
e to that as the needle is to the pole
/. Yet where withal his heart is alway:
merry particularly when he performs
: his duty well. His nose is in front al
! times of every school book (to see i
Y it don't contain incendiary matter tC
# fire the heart Of the child,) and he is
: not unfamiliar with the dictionary
4 himself
.The good director who has the
Pennsylvania system finely worked in
= to his heart, never Ainches at the lay
ing of a heavy school tax, but hi
heart delighteth therein; at the grum
bling Of the hevy taxpayer he winketh
!. for like Jobs war horse he hath al
n ready smelled the battle afar off anC
: saith cha ha !"