Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-06-05
Mlistellameuns &eadiug,
For the Yorkville Enquirer.
THE REQUIREMENTS OF A TEACHER.

THE REQUIREMENTS OF A TEACHER.
The profession ofa teacheris something most
beautiful-most sublime to love the youths
under his care as parent, to fit and prepare
them for life, to elevate and make them good
men.
What ought he to be? He has to know
all that he will teach, and still more. He
must be pious, and diligent in every thing
earnest and friendly toward his pupils, just
and reasonable, strict and attentive. His aim
must be to bring his pupils to perfection, that
they may learn not only a few useful matters
but, if possible, aA
He has to regard the pupils under his care
as tender little plants, needing his love-his
whole heart, and full of hope and confidence
will they look up to him. So are the little
flowers in meadows, woods and gardens, conf
dently looking up to the sky, longing now for
rain, now for sunshine, for their growth and
prosperity. Therefore, not even for one hour
ought the teacher to forget what he owes to
his pupils. There will always be something
needed amongst them, and to them he has to
give every care and attention.
Naughtiness and wantonness are not always
wickedness of the heart, and apparent lazi'
ness is sometimes only awkwardness of the
child, caused by the teachers negligence. He
has to see that his pupils study diligently
and he must know in what manner to give
the material to them, that they may like it
and accept it with joyfulness Then the
school will be to them pleasure, and not
burden.
Those who generally sit at the head of
class are not always the BEST Many one
will be neglected because the teacher does not
like him. He has to sit on the last bench
and yet he has true soul and a clear head
Further, the teacher must endeavor to gain
entirely the hearts of his pupils. He ought
to regard them as his own children, so that
they will delight to hear him, and give him
their entire confidence. To exercise such
power over them, he must appear always
friendly, but considerate; just, but not unfeel
ing; strict, but not unkind. Never must he
expect anything too difficult, not to mention
impossibilities never promise any thing that
he does not fulfill never threaten what he
does not execute; and he should appear al
ways the same in every respect. Under such
circumstances the pupils will cling to him
with their whole heart, and obey him with
gladness. He has to condescend to the level
of his pupils, for he can learn from them
every day. His attention has to be directed
to the way they take thing into considera'
tion-how they feel, and what they want for
this is all quite different from what it is
with grown people. After this, he has, in
mildness, to enlighten them in regard to their
mistakes and weaknesses. TO be looking al,
ways serious would make the pupils afraid
and vexed; yet too much kindness would,
like sweetmeats, spoil their stomachs To be
just must be his first duty, and the respect
and love of the pupils will follow. Have no
! favorites; deal with every one alike, whether
rich or poor
In this way, what the sun is to the EARTH
the teacher will be to his school and light
life, growth and fruit will be the beautiful
and sublime reward. H. N.