Los Angeles daily herald., 1873-11-14
gua Anselss Atrala.
EDUCATIONAL.
SCHOOL GOvERNM ENT.

-
AS proper department is the crown
ing excellence for true scholarship, too
much attention cannot be paid to it,
either by parents or teachers; nor is
the highest form of manhood or wo-
manhood attained through mental dis
cipline alone, but through the exer-
else or education of the mental, moral
and physical powers harmoniously
combined.
'Tis not enough that teacher Sc
cures order merely that her work may
be performed successfully, but in order
to develop symmetrical character,
the precepts and principles of the
Golden Rule, "Do unto Others as ye
would that they should do unto you,"
should be the leading rule of action.
But the high form of government,
which consists in leading pupils to
govern themselve, is not an easy task,
and by reason of the skill required,
many resort to the easier and quicker
means of ruling by fear, while others
govern by love, that is, their pupils
obey them only because they love
them, which, by the way, is not the
best, asst lasts only for the time being.
The business of the teacher is to train
human beings for the active duties OF
life, and the measure of success IN
practical life is estimated by strength
of character, the basis OF which is laid
during the early period OF ones life;
How earnest and faithful then should
teacher be, and how responsible is
the position! ~ ...
Among the natural qualifications
for government are, ability to discrim-
mate character, sympathy for Others,
ease in manner, magnetism, etc. The
source of magnetism may be either a
faculty of the mind, feeling, will, or
quality of the mind in conjunction
with strong animal powers; the eXer-
else of which may be spontaneous, or
subject to the will, and varied by dis
tance, time, condition of body and
mind, surroundings, weather, ventila-
ton, work performed, etc.
Who is there that cannot recall to
mind persons who have this peculiar
power of impressing others, simply by
being in their presence. BY subtle
influence difficult to discribe, pupils
under their control may be subdued,
seemingly without an effort. Forum
ate are those who possess such a power.
Another leading characteristic of one
naturally qualified to govern, Is ability
to discriminate character, first, by
noticing general features Of the face,
peculiar attitudes and gestures, the
character of dress, etc., also by notlc-
ing acts, as to their origin, or cause
which gave rise to them, as to their
direction, or channel in which they
flow, and the end or purpose to be
served by them. BY understanding
the nature of the child, the construc-
ton of the mind and its mode of work.
ing, how much more can he accom-
plish! The teacher should be patient
and gentle; by sympathy and kind
ness the affections are gained, the
passions subdued and the stubborn
win conquered. The disposition mani
tested must be decided, yet not harsh,
austere; pleasant, yet not light, frlvo-
lous; severe yet not monotOnous, act
i've and energetic. By much thought
and careful study the power to COM
mand may be acquired. One must
have a knowledge of the elements
which enter into good government,
also knowledge of the forces at work
in society in forming character, and
must cultivate habit of noticing the
forces at work in the pupil and the
tendencies to which they lead. Keen
Judgment is necessary, in order to
make determinations as to what
might be overlooked in the conduct of
the pupil, and in regard to what
might be censured, and also as to
when, where, and how censure and
punishment should be inflicted. The
character of school-room movements
should be easy, graceful and decided,
and their law governed by the work
and condition of the school. Children
are close observers, if not, should be
taught to be, and as their teachers are,
so will they be to a certain extent.
They are born with an abundance OF
curiosity and natural desire to know.
A skilliul teacher will cultivate this
desire by leading them by easy and
gradual steps from what they already
know to something beyond. Their
perceptive faculties are keen and alive
TO every novelty, and will remain so
unless neglected, checked, and just in
proportion as right methods are used
in teaching will the task of govern
ment be made easy.