Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1874-01-17
EDUCATIONAL,

Having received by letter several ap-
plications for certificates of qualification
from teachers, or from those who pro-
pose to become such, I deem it my duty
to inform all persons concerned that
neither the law nor my inclinations,
permit me to issue such certificates un-
less there is satisfactory showing made
that the applicant is in all respects
qualified as prescribed by law to teach
a school. And as am alone response
BILE for my acts, and could not screen
myself behind the plea that some friend
recommended the applicant, will
therefore require all persons who ex-
pect certificates from me to appear in
person SO that they may be examined as
to their fitness and qualification. To
County Superintendents throughout the
Territory, l would urge the propriety of
exercising Judgment, care and caution
in granting certificates. To those who
prove themselves qualified issue certifi-
cate promptly, and when those apply
who cannot satisfactorily acquit them
selves refuse your certificates. The re-
quirements under our law are few and
simple and County Superintendent
should SEQ to it that no one goes forth
to teach with q certificate from them
unless they have been satisfied that the
person obtaining it is qualified. Certi-
fcates are sometimes granted to incom-
petent persons ON the plea that the
children in the district where the appli-
cant proposes to teach are young and
not far advanced. Certificates should
not be issued on any such theory
First, because children not far advanced
require as good teachers as those far adj
vanced, and, Second, because the certi-
ficate which authorizes the party to
teach in one district may, under a mis-
construction of the law, be made to ap-
ply to any districtin the county.
1t is the promiscuous issuing of certif-
Gates which to-day makes school-teach-
ing less renumerative than any other
profession, or even trade, where not
one-half of the ability, education or
patience is required. By granting GER
tificates only to those who prove them
selves qualified, some now teaching
may he thrown out of employment, and
while this result may not be pleasant or
agreeable still we also have a duty to
perform, and as this course will i'm
prove our teaching, we necessarily will
have improved schools and this being
the object for which we labor we ought
not to hesitate a moment in the pre-
misses. And this course must necess-
arily prove advantageous to teachers,
| ctr IN
take from the field of competition those
who teach because it is not hoiW work
and teach almost for the privilege of
boarding around" and thus those
who are teachers can demand and will
receive that remuneration which their
great services demand. Section five of
the new school law makes it the duty
Of the Superintendent to rcccomend
some series of school books to be intro
throughout the Territory. In this
matter I desire to base my recommen-
dations upon the practical knowledge
and wisdom of our teachers and in order
that may do so, wish every teacher
in making out returns to Superinten-
dents would not only specify the books
used by them, but also those books
which they would prefer to use. If
County superintendent will then, in
making out their returns to me state the
facts fully as they appear from the
teacher reports, l will know precisely
how every teacher would vote if the
question were submitted to them, and
will then have the benefit of their prac-
ticable ideas to guide me in my recon-
mendations. JOHN p. JUDsoN,
Territorial Superintendent
of Common Schools.
Jnnlorv 1874