Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1876-01-07
Geaeners' QJo,n,pr,
w. L. PARKER. EditO..
Rotation in Office.

Rotation in Office.
From the National Teachers Monthly
The American doctrine of rotation in
office, as far as its influence has affected
the schools, has proved as hurtful as the
noble and characteristic political motto:
''To the victors belong the spoils." Sup
erlntendents and principals are removed,
actually because they have been so sue
cessful as to hold their places number
of years. In this statement there would
be an Irish bull if there was not Yam
kce bull in the practice which it men
tons
The evil OF this practice is apparent.
Each newcomer thinks. in order to es-
tablish himself, that he must undo all
that his predecessor has done Worse
yet, each new hand is a hobby-rider.
One runs geography-runs it to every
hole and corner in the globe, from the
Obscurest collection of huts in Timboctoo
to Melugan's Grove and Doraus Rancho
Worse, lie runs it into mlneralogy and
geology; thus running it into the ground,
IN the literal sense, not in the slang mean
ing of the phrase.
Another comes with an 'arithmetic
box" 1t is all add add adding, under
his administration, till the arithmetical
og-wheelS can he heard to click in the
devoted heads of the children under his
charge
Another makes children parse till their
eye-teeth are ready to drop out; but his
successor will have none of it, His forte
Is to teach language and discard grammar,
to change poetry into prose and pr Sc in
to poetry; and he succeeds, by means of
so-called language lessons, in muddling
with twaddle his unfortunate subject.
Another will not tolerate the use of
text-boo His hobby is object lessons,
and he is Indifferent as to the quality of
book-learning impaired, so long as his
subordinates enable their pupils to tell
What part of the face is that in the mid
die, below the forehead and above the
moGth?" and to distinguish between
thimble and Il gun-boat
Another rides the hobby of discipline
He does not care centennial whether
children learn anything or not, as long
as they are correct in the maneuvers of
physical exercise. He sits in his office
and pulls wires and gloricS in the manner
in which his little Punches and Judys hop
around in obedience to his solemn pedago-
gical jerks.
Where changes are frequently made all
these characters are liable to be afflicted
on suffering school population in sue
cession of such rapidity as to make even
their specialties neutralize each others
eXccllences. A better plan is to retain a
good man even though he has few cd
dities. Such man will soon adapt him
self to the environment. But the best
plan is to bear constantly in mind that
managers OF schools should avoid ex-
tremes and that too many pedagogical
cooks may spoil the educational broth.
The above is true, and plainly stated.
Schools do suffer in consequence of these
frequent changes. Every school has its
peculiar needs, 1t takes time for a teach
or to become fully acquainted with these,
and often long time to remove wholly
the peculiar hinderanccs to rapid advance,
ment of tina; particular school The
teacher, if he does his duty, must become
acquainted with the mental constitution
of each pupil under his control, and adapt
case. This requires time and persistent
effort; it is not accomplished in one or
two terms. The teacher does his hardest
work out of school hours In school, he
but carries out what he has before pre-
pared. This direct, yet diversified work
must go on cont ,ntlyif we would have our
pupils to grow mentally. This requires
hard and constant work on the part of the
teacher, and precludes "hobby riding"
But few teachers will undergo this close
application to business, when they know
that the probabilities are they shall re-
main but two or three terms. Hobby
riding pays better; it pleases the pupils
awhile, attracts the attention of parents,
and begcts for the teacher q nam. Thus
we pay premium for hobby -riding, but
our pupils suffer the penalty. If the word
educate does not include mental discipline;
if our pupils are to be entirely passive
subjects; if they are to sit and hear stories
related, and have words put into their
mouths; if they are not to learn to use
knowledge as well as TO gain it, then a
change of teacher every four weeks would
be highly proper. If pupils are to learn
TO think, then hold them steadily to men
tai work, under the direction of a COM
petcnt teacher. If the teacher is not
competent, get one that is competent and
keep him. Lock ahead for teachers.
Now is the time to engage teachers for the
coming school year If the present teach
er Is competent, and industrious, engage
him for the next term or We; y, as the case
may be, Engage by the year, if possible
1t is poor policy to turn of a good teach
cr, as soon as the winter term closes and
hire q cheaper teacher for the spring and
summer school A few collars may thus
be saved, but this will not compensate for
the loss 20 the pupils mentally, young
though they be. The cheap teacher may
possess knowledge enough foryour school
but does he know how to use it, how to
teach? Hire competent teacher, and
keep him by the year; this will prevent
changes, and more than double the
efficiency of our school.
Soon it will be time to elect directors
and sub-directors. Do not rotate these
merely for the sake of rotation. Much
depends upon the directors. If the drec-
tor is intelligent, active and fearless in the
discherge of his duties why turn him out
and run the risk of filing the office with
as good, Or better person?
Keep efficient directors in office, and
thus prevent many changes in teachers
IN