The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1872-06-14
Change of Teachers.

Why j. Il that we cannot have permanent
teachers in our public schools and seminarics2
This constant changing Of teachers certainly
l. great evil. Ii involves a community in
additional expense. Every newcomer has his
hvoritc text book lie insists that previously
used works must be laid aside. lie con-
tends that the great superiority Of the books
he prefcrs, morc than compensates for the in
convenience and xpcn-e Of making the change.
This plea T. renewed and urged by every new
conner. The amount Of money wasted in this
way, though il i comparatively a small sum
for a single wealthy person, is really enormous
in the aggrcgatc. Thi. method Of procedure
isa god sud ,o-authors and book publishers
They reap rich harvest Of profit from it.
The loss is borne by the parents who persist in
this unreasonable practice. Thi. frequent in
PRODUCTION Of new books, in which the same
subjects are, % some extent, diG,rcntly treated
by different authors, throws the minds Of the
pupils into bewillyment and confusion.
Young bcginncr- especially, who have not yet
learned To think, arr annoyed and injured by
these changes. Franklin said that three
move. are equal tot ire" This expense Of
breaking up at one place snd setting up anew
at another, g. quite e heavy burlen GA teach
ers. Thoss' Who aend their claildrsa to'schooi
ought 70 bear II. The teacher must get the
money from some source 10 the expense Of
these frequent rcmoyals II ought To come
from the pockets Of thoae he serves. II they
don't pay Il, the Teachers credit i ruined, his
reputation taui-hed, and the unpaid bills Of
the merchant, butcher, Sc, tell on whom the
burden has really fallen. The iiinerant psda-
goguc has no koyle. This objection nay not
he Appreciated - --,rae, bat Il is really the
strongest one that lies agains, this educational
scheme Of huctuaiion and incossant change.
To my mind ami heart Il is an insurmountable
one. II hal a family Of children no con-
sideraiion. except that Of imperative memorable
necessity, could induce me to deprive them Of
the purifying, elcyating. halloved, hcayen-sp-
pointed influences Of "lIome, sweet home"
o, friends, surely you don't think Of what you
are doing, when you ask a man Of refined feel
in-s TO make q sacrifice like this
A man mirh, consent In It, rather than
abandon the profession Of teaching, which he
has chosen as a lifc-work. But before would
voluntarily do 80 gross an injustice to my Of
spring, ID lave nay right arm cut of.
wouldn't teach Tor any people on earth. 1t is
the high; Of folly for them to expect ii. dis
like the French language, because it has no
word for home. thank John Howard Payne
for writing that sweet ballad which has justly
rendered his name immortal.
Again, the pupils have to become accustomed
to each new teachers method Of instruction
and discipline. This Is a serious impeachment
to progress in study.
Again, you can never have earnest, laborious,
Jealous teachers under the present programme.
The thought that a mans time will soon be
out, and he'll then have no more to do with
that community, Is enough to cool his ardor,
cripple his energies, discourage him completely.
IL is extremely dCmomlizing On the teacher.
II you wish him TO take an interest in his
work, let him feel that he is permaneEcc,
that when his pupils go to college he will be
held individually responsible for their stand
ing in scholarship. lie can't then lay the
blame ON Others, for it Is all his work. This
will make powerful appeal to his professional
pride. His reputation as a teacher il at stake,
and this thought il reasonable, just, and
healthy stimulus.
IL is not fair to ask a faithful, qualified
teaclEr to labor hard on a poorly trained pu-
| pin, skillfully and patiently rcmodelling a
piece of wrctched botchwork, and then dis
card him, and give his pupil into the hands of
Others 20 ruin his education again.
A common sense Of justice demands that
such a teacher should reap some reward of his
patient toll by having the pleasure of eontinu-
ing his work after it has become productive,
interesting and agreeable.
Arguments come tro0p,ng to my theme but
my space Is limited. You'll Ha,, have good
schools tin this crying evil is remedied. The
remedy is simple. Remember, you are as i'm
perfect az your neighbor Don't ask absolute
perfection, il can't be found. Even this would
he more reasonable than to demand what you
do. O. perfection according to your own I'M
perfect, erroneous, infinite, varied and conflict
ing notions of that rare commodity. Quit
] turning OF one mean teacher ACCT another
| BE wise, get a tolcrably good ore, keep him
and make a better one Of him by seeing some
good In him. }. b. MYERS.