Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1872-03-28
Gathered Grains.

The Maine Journal of Edacotion
should be in the hands of every teacher
and school officer and parent in our own
State, but we fear it is not and why not ?
Is it because it is 4 new periodical that has
not had tine to become known. or is it be-
cause those classes mentioned are too poor
to devote the price of subscription to pro-
curing it? Neither of these reasons can
be a good one, nor are they true. Is it
not, then, rather the spirit of Indifference
fostered aud prevalent with all ranks to-
ward the furthering of educational enter
prises? Surely there must be something
of this kind when its regular edition hard
ly reaches two thousand copies monthly.
Deplorable, and to our shame be 1t said.
when a publication devoted, and ably too,
to our most vital interests, should thus re-
celve such meagre support! Can it be?
Shall we. brother teachers, friends of edu-
cation, parents. scholars. one and all, shall
we suffer this to be? Let US have a re-
sponsive no, not in words, but in deeds,
such as shall show our appreciation, our
zeal i'll this matter. Devote at least one
day to the good cause. Canvass your
schools. your neighborhood, and yourt town
make it permanent, and don't let this no.
BILE periodical struggle along, shorn of
half its power for good by its limited
arena.
Wide-awake teachers, live and stirring,
full of vim and fire, actuated by the love
of teaching. capable of imparting ~instruc-
ton by word, question, and look, thorough.
precise, ready, full, jealous of good works.
and firm in principle, careful in example
and pattern in and out of school,-this is
our great want, the need and the hope Of
cur schools. Where are they? Where
can they be found and retained in the
ranks of school instructors.
From every town comes up the call,
"come over and help U.S." faithful teacher;
the fields arc white, the harvest is ready,
but how about the reward? Dollars and
cents arc as acceptable, as necessary to q
teachers well-being, to stimulate and to
secure, as to any other profession. Can
you hope to keep the best talent without
adequate pay, comparatively with other
calings? VIII your talented, profitable
teacher remain a teacher still at SEQ, $50.
or $40 per month when in something else
no harder or complicate lie can make two,
three. or four times this? The past will
answer you in facts too sad, yet in.truc-
tive.
Keep the good teacher term after term
if money will retain him. The loss by
frequent changes are great, and yet this,
in rural towns, is the rule and not the ex-
ception. a new teacher every term. and
precious time is lost before an understand
ing of want and supply. of past attain
ments and future expectations, Of capaci-
ty. habit, Al disposition is arrived ct,
from which Tie teacher can work adran-
tageously. A good teacher is worth one
half more the second term i'll Tie same
school. than 4 new one of equal ability.
He works not only from present attain
ments, but past experiences. lie wastes
no time on ground already mastered. or
points already gained. He knows where.
when, and how his methods, style, and
words arc familiar and easier comprehend
ed than those Of a stranger. 1t pays to
keep the good teacher and vice versa. Too
frequent change of teachers is one Of the
evils under which our COMMON schools la
Dor.
Uniformity Of textbooks can but be
desired by all lovers of progress and utili-
ty. Teachers should know what books
are to be used. and fit themselves to highest
usefulness and a familiarity with those
same books, not that he should %coninc
himself to those alone. l have seen a
small school this present winter where
parts of four series of reading books are
USED. enc of which in its different editions
caused additional trouble. Parents of
these scholars were poor, and it would
have been a great hardship to have pur-
chased new textbooks at present prices. |
throwing away those already en- hand.
Uniformity will add to the value OF our
teachers labors many per cent. and give
greater zest to study by making it uni
form and without the Iiscommoding now
experienced. Town uniformity, ct least,
should be attained, since it is required by
law.