The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-04-18
WHAT TEACHERS WANT.

Some few weeks ago The Wing published
a short article originally from st. Louis
paper, charging teachers with endeavoring
to shift their legitimate work from their
own shoulders to those of parents. So far
as Cecil county is concerned we think the
public school teachers are very generally
innocent of this fault. Experience has
taught them that it is almost useless to
attempt it, as in very many cases the par
ents could not perform the work if they
would, and would not if they could, and
do not care very much whether it is
done at all. But while we think that
teachers are willing to do all they are
employed to do, when they have clear
conception of what it is, we are aware that
they frequently complain of the non-per-
Torrance of something which they deem
parental duty, and it is our object to say
word in explanation of what teachers do
want. In the first place they ask that par
ents be not wholly Indifferent to the pro-
gress of their children. If they are, the
most conscientious child can reconcile very
careless study with its sense of parental
obligation. There are parents, who, if
they send boy to the field to hoe corn or
potatoes, will exhibit lively interest in
the number of rows cultivated, and the
manner in which it is done. while, if they
send him to school they are entirely salts
fed if he puts the time in. This may be
mplimentary, but it is not satisfactory.
They ask that parents treat and speak of
the teacher with entire respect and conf
dence at all times and in all places, or
keep their children out of school. No ono
with common sense, no one with the in
stincts of a lady or gentleman, no one
with grain of christianity, honesty or de-
cency in their composition could do other
wise. They ask that parents send their
children to school regularly, that they
abandon the idea that it is entirely their
own affair if they choose to keep their
children out of the school, and that the
teacher is to blame if they do not 60 to
school. They ask that parents govern
their own children. Teachers are en-
ployed to teach, not to govern. To teach
successfully it is necessary that those whe
are taught observe certain rules and regu-
lations which facilitate the process of
teaching When the teacher states these
regulations, the pupil if in proper subiec-
ton to parental authority, and obedient to
that parental desire of which his presence
in the school-room is significant, will at
once commence, and will continue to OBJ
serve them without neglect or hesitancy.
If he fails to do this he should at once be
returned to the parent, who is under obi
CATION to reduce him to such state of
mind that he will be constrained to quietly
submit to the regulations of the school.
Our boosted free schools have come to be
considered in some respects entirely too
free. They have come to be considered as
places into which the child, trained from
infancy, by precept and example to vaga-
bondism may be thrust, Notwithstanding
the fact that he will corrupt scores of COM
paratively innocent children. or that it will
require the whole weight of the teachers
authority to keep the school from being
utterly demoralized. Such should not be
the case. Let the doors of the public
schools be opened a little less wider, and
advantages they offer will be doubly ap-
preciated, and the benefit received from
them will be greatly increased. To furth-
Ell illustrate the last request, the following
short article from the Chicago Teacher, is
appended:
"The practice of calling in parents, and
holding them responsible for the conduct
of their children in school, is a very bene-
fetal one to the parents. 1t makes them
thoughtful and provident. 1t educates
them. 1t brings them to a realization of
the fact that they have a duty in training
and controlling the children whom they
have ushered into the world; that they are
bound to do more for them than to give
them being, food, and bad example, and
then leave them unwashed; that they cam
not farm out such duties to teachers and
other contractors. Then by all means call
in the parents, and if a woman says, 81
had to leave my washing to como to see
about this misconduct of my son" mildly
ask, la Yankee, Madam, which is of
more Importance to you, your son or your
weeks washing ." She will not dare to
speak her honest mind, and say-"the
washing"