The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1874-08-06

10 meet Win them once month, Iney /
should be refused the privilege of
teaching in this county. Is it not pas
sing strange what authority some pre-
sumo to appropriate to themselves :?
Is it not beyond measure astonishing,
how some delight in making parasites
of others acting in the same sphere as
themselves, causing them to dance to
every whimsical tune they may choose
to play +? The fact is they are doing an
injury to the very cause they pretend
to promote. They prescribe certain
codes, and the simple fact that there is
a great difference in different schools
and teachers should teach any one,
that no prescribed modes of teaching
can in any considerable degree, be adj
vantage to the teacher. 1t is time that
some of these older teachers shonld
''put away childish thoughts" 'FOr-
getting those things which are behind
and reaching forth unto those things
which are before, press toward the
marks for the prize of higher calling
If teachers in general must become
obsequious todies in order to find ia
vor in the eyes of few aspirants
(Which is becoming essential to secure
a certifcate), then we say to the gen.
Grafton just pushing their boats from
shore, if you have any ambition to
make mark in the world, beware of
school teaching. If they would con-
duct the business of the Association in
accordance with parliamentary usage,
little benefit, at least might arise
from them but the manner in which
they have thus far been conducted,
renders them a worse than farce They
are burlesque on common sense. A
peep behind the veil may effect new
development. A few small fish wish
to swim with the larger and not be
swallowed. Grand thought indeed,
but too grand for such minDows. They
forget they are swimming the wrong
way. If there are any advantages re-
sulting from these associations, where
do they exhibit themselves? ? Has there
been any radical changes wrought in
our public schools. If SO, have they
been for the better? To come more
directly, go with me to the schools
superintendent by those who have
been brought up at the feet of the
Ravenna and Kent Gamaliels, "Minis-
ters plenipolentiary" of our assoeia-
tions, and what is to be observed? /?
Ask the members of their districts if
they give satisfaction and what do we
hear? The truth, almost invariably
they will tell us that they go through
certain ritual each day, but they
have met with no success. The
scholars have made but little advance
ments, and in fact they are not at all
pleased with the teacher. Push the
investigations still further, and scruti-
nize the qualifications of these so call
ed model teachers, and we ascertain
that they have received thorough drill
in arithmetic, geography, grammer
and some of the common branches,
but are dead to every thing beyond
these. Does a knowledge of these
branches afford the qualifications of
successful teacher? We answer, no.
Every successful teacher is the posses
sor of the extensive storehouse of
general knowledge, and especially a
knowledge of human nature. Affect
ing the adulations of others must ap-
pear unnatural, and can meyer be
palmed off as any thing more than af-
fectations. A person without enough
self-confidence stamina, and common
sense, so essential in every depart
ment of life, to organize in systemat-
ic way, and conduct in a practicable
manner any common school without
following the prescriptions of others.
is deficient in those respects which
can never be supplied by associations
or any thing else, and the deficit must
forever render them unfit to fill the
important and responsible position of
teacher in common schools. The
spirit of the age demands that these
dering and asserting to the sugges-
tions of our county board, are the re-
cipients of first class certificates.
should cease to act outside their sphere
and consequently should cease to be
teachers. Their places should be filled
by men worthy i'll every respect this
appellation. Children are poor teach |
ers of children, and, as the vast ma
iority of teachers are so weak in mind |
and unstabled in determination and |!
purpose, the people every where are
calling for men to act as teachers. We |
have attended the associations and are /
prepared to say that no one with an
ambition should raise one above the
mediVere can listen to their simple /
''chit chat" on teaching without be-
coming disgusted. So much like /
Boys play such a similitude to debat-
ing societies organized and conducted
by boys before they reach their teens.
These are converting many that might
become men and women into nero
forms and machines. Knowing such TO
be the fact, we are not reluctant in
saying that these Teachers Associa-
tions are IA humbug, and are represent
ed principally by those who would
gladly dismiss some of our best teach
ers from the public schools, in order
to better their own condition.
To these statements we are willing
to subscribe our signature. SELAH.
Atwater Sta, July Both, 1874.
License Yes"
The Akron Times closes a well
written article on the license question