Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1878-07-17

= at any time before. The necessity
of giving greater attention to higl
school work is becoming every
year more apparent, and its i'm
portance ought not to be ignored
All things have a small beginning
and in these beginnings, they need
much fostering care. A high scboo'
is no exception. 1t needs encour.
agement, especially at the outset
1t must not feel that the sword ol
fate is constantly hanging over il
by a silken thread which is ready
TO snap Mt any moment. But such.
you are well aware has been the
condition Of our own. A high
school means more than n name.
II requires more than the average
expense and good deal more than
an average teacher. Pupils in a
primary school are disposed to be-
lieve that the teacher is the en-
hodiment of all wisdom. The diff
ference between pupil and teacher
is highly magnified. In n high
school these conditions are changed.
Pupils soon find out what the
teacher knows. If he is not pretty
thoroughly educated, they soon
find that they know as much in
some branches MS he does. That is
about equivalent to thinking that
they know rs much in all, and when
pupils arrive at that stage, their
time in school il of little worth.
And when. would ask, during n
whole life is persons time more
valuable than during the latter
years Of his school life! Sound
wisdom will say that we cannot af-
ford to subject our pupils to any
drawbacks and risks, or any ex-
periments on the principal of false
economy that there will be saw
ing of few cents in taxes to Won
DR. to me. We ought to have in
our high school teacher who is as
'amiliar with the subjects to be
anght there as his pupils are with
he alphabet. In those subjects
lie must be able to travel freely.
lie must be able to travel widely.
lie must he able to lead his pupils
outside of the juiceless text and
rive them something of practical
life. Such we have had during the
'ast year, and such we ought to
ave in the future. People some
ines charge schools with not be-
ng practical. The charge is just {
hey are not always practical, but !
hey are just what the people make '
hem. They are the peoples Off t
pring. Five years hence, the a
eachers Of the State of Michigan &
ill be nearly all new. Those of t
o-day will have entered other '
'allIs Of life where there is chance c
} rise, and can anybody blame y
iem9 They see about them on t
very hand, men whose RESPONSE
ilities are not 1.-THE Of theirs. y
hose education is limited to the q
erest rudimeDts, make a far more b
dependent living and enjoying Ii
r more Of the comforts of life and 81
'ciety than they dare dream of. 81
soon as they become experienced n
practical, they are given to un- CO
'rstand that they are not wanted; y
what is the same thing, mex nj
'rience under-bids and is employ Il
J, while experience goes where it 70
n do better. When the people, hi
rough their representatives, de- b
and and pay for higher grade 81
teachers they will have them, II
It never before. Our own teach so
are as good as those in any tn
our union schools throughout an
State, as | believe, but we can sa
We better If all new teachers en- m.
Dyed he required to obtain high no
ade of certificate. Last year yon
We your teachers to understand
1t If they did not attain TO a GER
n per cent. on examination, they
'uld have to present themselves
certificate again this year. =
had a decidedly wholesome eff Al,
It. They naturally expected roo
rder examination, and they were wa
disappointed. Had / the au- Tue
'rity, | would speak to the high =,
lool scholars in a somewhat sim VI,
manner. would say to them, {
ar chance for obtaining a situa- wa
n as teacher before you COM )
tie the course Of study for the p'0
ID school, is small indeed; but I 8
uld say to them, when you have of
npleted that course and have etc.