Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-09-11
Written for the Herald.l
Parents and Their Schools.
NO. XVIII.

Female teachers nave taken the Held
of education as by conquest. More than
two thirds of the public schools of the
land are managed and taught by women.
A change was produced by the war of
the rebellion, which called into military
service a large number of young men
who had been employed in teaching but
the reason why they are, and viii be, re
tanned in the schools, is found in the
fact that woman is peculiarly fitted for
the business of teaching. She is the d.
vinely appointed teacher of her race.
She has natural endowments and es-
pecial fitness for the work, in the school,
as well as in the family. She has prov
ed herself not only ''apt'to teach, but
also capable of managing and governing
successfully. Her quick sensibilities,
natural love for the true, the beautiful,
and the good; her patient perseverance,
and enthusiasm, eminently qualify her
for this important field of labor. Child
ren are drawn to her, as by natural in
stinct they believe and confide in her,
as in their own mother. Hence woman
is especially adapted to the primary and
intermediate schools.
In selecting a teacher, the woman of
equal qualifications should always be
preferred to the man, for either depart
ment. She has also honored the profes-
sion in important positions, in the
Academy and Seminary, and in some in
stances at the head of these institutions.
As a class woman has higher standard
of morals and manners. She does not
'Esmoke,' 2 nor 'sdrink, nor swear, nor
waste her time -loafing in places of
public resort. And she has more refined
feelings and manners; and therefore, has
more power to gain the affections and
win the confidence of the young, who
are ready to profit by the influence of
her'correct habits and good example.
And woman is not only adapted to the
care and instruction of children in the
family and school, but has the capacity
for that broad and thorough culture
which is essential to the position she
occupies. Both in the Academic and
Normal course of studies, she is quite the
equal OF her brother. The difficulty has
been. she has lacked the opportunity to
improve and elevate herself. Andto-day,
there is no one thing more important to
the welfare of the rising generation than
the liberal education of woman. She
must mould the family. and give char
acter to the children and youth as they
viii be found in the school and as citi-
zens in the State. She is relied upon,
and must be, chiefly, to manage and in
struct our public schools.
This fact is not to be regretted, but
should be urged as. "a new plea for her
elevation, through culture. The schools
win be better taught and better man
aged, under her control, just so soon as
she shall be allowed time and opportun-
ity to make the necessary preparation.
And one. of the most important duties
which parents owe to their children. in
their relation to the school, is to provide
for the education of these teachers.
They should not only seek those to in
struct their schools who have the best
qualifications, but should provide train
ing schools, of high order, that all may
be thoroughly fitted for their work. The
elevation of the teacher, is the elevation
of the school, and the surest way to Sc
cure the highest improvement of the
children. Parents in every state in the
Union, in every comfy and in every dis
trict. one and all, are therefore, especi-
ally interested in building mp and sus-
tanning the normal school.
r4t f,f 5cfrygnEfir1ra 70
parents. IF so unfortunate as to select
a poor teacher, the quicker she is ex-
changed the better: for the school; but
if efficient and desirable, retain her as
long as possible, at any reasonable ex-
pense. The habit of changing teachers
as practiced in many districts, twice or
three times a year is Tuinous to the well
fare of the school.
What can the teacher who enters the
school for one term only, know Of the
character and peculiarities of her pupils
What motive can she have to adopt and
attempt to carry out, a systematic course
of instruction, when she knows that her
successor may introduce an entirely
different course? What can awaken in
.terest in her pupils or enthusiasm in her
self, when she knows that her work may
be undone as soon as she leaves IL.
What can the school do to advantage,
when nearly all their time is spent in
experimenting upon new theories and
methods of instruction. But with the
permanent teacher, every thing IS
different On reopening her school
after a vacation, she is cordially
greeted by loving and confiding pupils.
She knows every class and every scholar.
and understands their wants and, their
peculiarities. On the first day the school
can be completely organized. and in good
working order All enter upon their
duties with interest and zeal, and the ex-
perience of former terms in the same
position, enables the teacher to adapt her
instruction to the character and standing
of her pupils, and the best results are
realized. ~
So it is in every kind of business, as
all viii admit. No business firm would,
if they could avoid it, allow quarterly
exchange of book-keepers in their mer-
camille houses, or of agents and over
seers in their factories or hnanclers IN
their banks, or of masters for their mer-
chantmen,- or of commanders for Their
iron-clads, or of engineers for their rail-
road trains. Business men make no such
blunders And yet the changes here in
'dicated would be no more disastrous than
frequent changes of teachers We need,
first, efficiency, and then z1ermaneney-
Failing to abide this principle, at least
fifty per cent. of the real profit OF our
schools has been lost. 3 PARESs.1
AT a hotel short time since, girl in
auired of gentleman at the table If his
cup was out mo- said he, but my