Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-04-25
EDUCATIONAL.
A Letter from County Superin.
teRdcnt Jones.
rrF SCHOOLS on ruE COUNTY.

EpS. DEMocKAr:- Thinking that
Il short summary of the cNamina,
tons held in the county this
Spring would be of somc interest
to Your readers, | hand YOU the
following: Number of applicants,
265. OF this, number 81 received
third grade certificates; three re-
ceivcd second grade, and one
4 first grade; showing that only
about thirty-three per cent OF the
applicants were successful. This
probably is owing to some extent
to the fact that many of the appli-
cants were young students that did
not intend to teach, but merely
wrote for standing.
But comparatively few applica-
tions from school boards have been
received asking for special liecn-
ces, which proves that the sonti-
ment is growing in the county i'll ia
vor Of employing none but qualified
teachers. Ii school boards would
only reflect, they could not help
seeing the injustice and the injury
that is occasioned to the schools of
the county by this prenicious prac-
tiee. 1t is very discouraging TO
those who have spent time and
money in preparing themselves for
the profession TO be compelled to
compete in wages with those who
have barely education enough TO
obtain low third grade certificate
and in many cases with those that
hold no certificate ut all, and have
no interest whatever i'll their work
except to spend their time and
draw their wages.
1t is true that person may have
Il very good standing on 4 ccrtiti-
cate and still be entirely incapable
to teach u school, from the fact that
they do not have that peculiar
power of imparting to others what
they seem to know themselves; rs n
consequence, the fact that Il person
holds a good certificate is not
always proof that he will teach II
goood school. The only means that
a school board has to judge of the
work done by the teacher is to visit
their school and see for themselves;
and if they find that he is doing
fairly good work, il will be to the
interest of the school for them to
pay him good wages and retain him
in their employ. We have a large
number of teachers III the county
who are doing good, honest work,
but that their work is not apprcci-
ated III 4 large majority Of cases Is
shown in the fact that but few dis
triets in the county employ the
same teacher for two consecutive
terms, and Us 4 result, from two to
four weeks are lost at the beginning
of each term. This evil would he
avoided to a great extent if parents
and school boards would take the
trouble to visit their school mom
frequently and sec for themselves
what their teacher is doing. 1t is
a fact 70 be regretted that ninety
per cent. Of the parents Of the
county have never seen the inside
Of their school house nuring school
session It is impossible to conceive
why parents should be more solici-
tous for the careful management oi
their brutcs than Of their children,
fla man has fayorite colt that he
wants trained he is not satisfied with
the first and cheapest trainer that
comes along and wants the job, and
even when he has employed his
man, he is very sure to visit his colt
once or twice a week to zee how he
IL getting along But IN regard u
the training Of his children, he
leaves the choice &C trainers entirely
to others, and never dreams Of viz.
iting the school once a year 70 sec
the method employed and the pro
grcss his children arc making.
Parents and school boards, visit
your schools and rest assured that
if your teacher II qualified u teach
your school, be will always welcome