Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-05-09
Our Common Schools.

ers have neaily all left the field. Scarce
" dozen arc now teaching in the Coun
tv who attended the Institutes fifteen
years ago. A large number oil those
now engaged in teaching are females,
and many of these are without expert.
ence.
There is no occupation in which u per-
son OF quick perceptions will take adj
vantage of special instruction in his cali
ing rs the teacher. have often been
amused to see some live teacher At 4
town or County Institute OF when visit
ing her school, clutch her pencil with n
eonvulsive grasp and write down some
new thought suggested for The better in
Struction of her classes. This fact speaks
volumes in favor OF every effort made 10
elevate the condition oi our teachers. and
now there is host of better teachers in
/ the County than there were three years
ago. Probably more than three hundred
1 teachers have attended the Academies
and High Schools in the County within
the last year for The special purpose of
becoming better qualified To teach. The
4 Principals OF these schools have been
stimulated 10 give special instruction to
/ Normal classes No person can, for n
moment fail u see marked change in
this respect.
The idea that almost anybody can
teach little children has gone by forever.
The NEST learned teacher in the world
does not know any too much, so rs 10 be
able TO teach with the greatest economy
OF time and brains. the Youngest child.
Nobody but = mother can instinctively
teach little child in the best possible
manner. The teacher learns by ex.
pericifcc what the mother has by instinct.
Hence have seen some teachers who
have been mothers. that acquired marvel
Gus skill in teaching the elements of
knowledge.
There is certain kind of mental 1tim
illus which every good teacher feels when
she attends town or County Institute.
She resolves to 30 home and keep a bet
ter school II is Just Us it is with the lar
mer who goes to the tanners Club. or the
town or County Fair. He goes home re-
solved TO do better han ever before.
Complaints are often made that teach
cts do not continue long in the business.
am glad it is so. The young lady who
has taught a few terms. will make all the
better wife and mother, and citizen, and
ii she has good offer of marriage, |
should advise her 10 accept it, and set up
select school in her own house The
public is the gamer by the change. Our
young teachers will Away need looking
after and be- receiving instruction from
those who la, had experience in teach.
ing.
One of the best steps in the right di
rection Is written examination OF teach.
crs and graded certificate. The teacher
vii then know pretty nearly his rank in
scholarship. while it throws ont ct the
ranks the inefficient teachers. This is rs
il should be- Experience already shows
that teachers do not Shrinl, from the eN-
animation. n il was feared might be The
cast, but, on the contrary they me anx-
ious TO engage in the contest As fast rs
opportunity occurs, propose to attend
to such examinations in connection with
town committee
Now il any one doubt, the position l
have taken, let him visit ONE good school
anywhere. and he will find that the each-
er who Was good three years ago, is
better one nov lie will find that the
children are better employed than they
were and better taught Not that our
teachers OF oar schools are perfect. Far
from it, Somebody will lind fault with
the best school in the world and pro-
nouncc il good Tor nothing. This is to be
expected, especially from those who
know nothing about the school, or have
private grieis respecting the teacher. All
| wish here TO say is, that we ale now in
the right direction, and he who would
crush the effortS made to elevate our
st hools. is crushing TO the dust the chill
dren who are soon TO take our places,
either rs intelligent citizens, or rs igno-
rant, vicious and degraded beings. If
anything better can be devised, let il be
brought forward and tested, only do not
let us forget our duties to our children to
furnish them with the means for the best
possible expenditure OF the money we
raise lor the support OF our schools.
E1rueStncs, i the best word to express
one, opinion OF combination of good
qualities which 20 10 make up the good
tear her \ teacher who is in earnest in
his work rarely ever fails in this, or any
other calling. y quick perception to see
how others teach, and 10 see at n glance
the wants of every pupil, are qualities
which will always ensure success. Let
not then our teachers fail to qualify them.
selves, rs far as possible. for their work.
| shall have moIe to say directly 10 the
teachers before the Summer schools COM
mence. SUPERVISOR.
Superintendent JOhnsOn'S
Circular.
Mr. Johnson SnOprintendent of Com.