Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-04-30
For the VERMONT FARMER.
Parents Relations to Schools. No. T.


Having settled the system Of school or
ganization to be adopted, and having provid-
cd suitable school-house favorably located
and we'll furnished, the next important duty
to be performed by parents is to select and
employ highly qualified teacher. Under
the district system, this duty devolves upon
the school trustees selected for that purpose.
Under the town system, which l earnestly
commend, it belongs to a committee Of the
town board of education. In either case. it
is a question of vital Importance who are to
be entrusted with the management and in.
structiou of our schools.
The education Of the young prince or
princess, in royal governments, is regarded
as an important matter, affecting, as it must,
the welfare of nations. The selection Of a
tutor for such an heir to the throne always
excites deep interest and solicitude through
out the kingdom or empire. But zoe are a
nation Of sorereigns; aud our children
princes Of future generation. Great care
should, therefore, be exercised in the seleO-
ton of teachers for every grade Of schools.
And what are some of the necessary qualifi-
cations Of the good teacherl This is prac-
tical question, and one which it seems proper
to answer in this connection. In the past
too little attention has been given to this
subject. The writer we'll remembers the
time when no examinations were required of
candidates for teachers Of our common
schools; and the only question raised by
the school officer as to the fitness Of the ap-
picant for the important office, were, FIRST,
Is he physically strong and courageous
Second, will he work cheap? Third, will
he consent to =" board round?''
These questions settled affirmatively, the
candidate was sure to be employed. False
opinions then very generally prevailed. 1t
was believed that good school government
could be maintained only by ph ysical force ;
and that anybody who could read, write, and
cipher, and "wield the BIRCH" could keep
school. And another serious error icaS aud
is entertained viz. That backward school
does not need a well-qualifed teacher, while
the fact IS, such school demands all the
more attention because it is backward.
From such erroneous views has arisen much
Of the indifference manifested by parents as
to the qualifications of their teachers. Still
it is vital question, and wish to direct to
it, especially, the attention Of my readers
Let me urge, therefore, that every trustee
inquire, first Of all, for physical yigor (not
AoggiDg power, but healthy in the candidate
for this important office. No employment
taxes more severely the vital energies, or de-
mands more vigorous health, than the sue
cessiul management and instruction of a
school. The teachers is confined life
He has but few leisure days or hours, anC
but short vacations that he can call his own
During six hours every day, for at least five
days in week, he is shut up between fou
walls. and often in badly ventilated anC
uncomfortable room, and has but little op
portunity for the necessary exercise an,
recrea ton.
His is also laborious life. If faithful
to his charge, his labors are incessant. H
must govern and teach, and teach and gov
ern, and sometimes under the most discour
aging circumstances. Out of school hi
hours are devoted to preparation for hi
wOrk,-reading, studying, thinking, planning
for the improvement and welfare of his pu
pills. PARENs.