Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1879-05-22

JznBemxsEax, Lag Is, 1879.
-. Enrrua The shezue ef the - letser b.
ina che admfs's akhocl. I'm whixh aasa memEnmpar
was cited - beng fhe sess s8nesf1r foF nam
h0ods Il now eee:ns but inst 10 look Is che Geo.
cation % the foang. EFen wTsefe fl1eir tastes
rnn il the hne 81 literature Il Il eenefalEy q =
light and ffirpiuns style Of kcfion, eIFinx dhem
false views 81 lie I'D leading their yonnR eaignaB
tisrungh Inbyrinfh OF superkeialify 10 an ustar
reality % pEose. and after the poetry Of chiI4-
hood Is changed for the care and toll q afer Ile
The schooi-room, thru, Is tbe great question de-
mandiBg our alfeation. Let rs lock a. this 10.
sue more from q practical than theoretical stand
point. The chilarem Of to-day are the men and
women or so-mOrrow. The characters now be-
Ing formed are peing moulded for time and eser-
nifty. This thosebt presents two questions,
First, What Il abe standard or competency of
cur school-seachers7 second, Do they realize
The responsibilities PLACED upon Them as tnstrnc-
tors Of ehildren7 Ifthe teachers conception Of
the word success" goes no further than Enan-
eiai gain or an enviabie way Of gaining iiFeIf-
hood that teacher should be removed f0rfhwi fh:
bat on the contrary, II the teacher fully recog-
nfxes that Success In this respect means self
denial, hard work and filing this. minds Of chill
drrn with practical substantial truths then that
teacher reaches toward The mark Now, SIR,
this question does not permit ofambfgnous eriti-
eism or degrading aattFy. Your correspondent
IL personally acquainted with but two Of the
teachers, Miss Moilie Alton and NJ. Je4. Jarboe
So far as theory 10 concerned and diplomas re-
quired these two are fallyacompefent, and the
residents iH10rm me the enWTe corps Of teachers
are fully 10 capable as thesettwo, consequently ]
can make no invidious distinctions. But we are
20 look further. From the grammar and histo-
~ Of the sehOoE-ruCm your Dor and mine must
meet the earnestnesB Of lie. What teacher has
impressed on his or her scholars the reason for
ssady7 Dp our teachers periodically Cor chit
dren forgetfnl1 tell the scholars that they are
20 enact future laws, are 20 become mothers Of
families, etc. Could not these questions be 50
presented In hguratise language that even the
youngest could fully comprehend the lesson
Bat stay, these questions are for the teacher.
The question for the school supervisors and the
parents % settle II this, 'siave We an efficient
corps Of teachersp Generally speaking, the
scholar will be what the teaHher makes him.
Patents, do you realize this 2 Do ron, By mat
tenfion, permit the teachers to grow careless !?
Apropos OF this, Mr. Editor, might IL not be well
for our debating society 10 discuss such questions
as herein eontainedf Soon'I desire to speak Of
debating societies, 30 win remain quiet on that
score Tor the present, merely expressing the
thought, however, that Il would be more peftiL
nent and valuable for. the mothers and GAthefs ol
50. Mary's county 20 have the wisdom Of the So
e8efy on euch questions than The political pro-
blems Of the country nc large. / wonder how
many Of our children are aware Of che fact that
they are laying the foundation Of future success
or failure wonder II our children are grow
ing up TO be numbskulls or intelligent men and
women wonder how many parents are suffi-
GENTLY interested to visit the schools and see
how they are conducted? wonder II the teach
ers of this county are careless Of reputation as
to be merely satisfied with teaching scholars the
rules Of grammar, etc., leaving the child to Ecrm
his own opinion Of rky he slearning these rulesl
care not TO make th.s letter q well-construeted
composition. II Is my desire TO have the chill
dren OF this section emanate into intelligent men
and sromeR, and 20 this point pay more atten-
ton than 10 an acknowledgement communica-
ton. A teacher Is valuable as such only in pro-
portion to the common sense and necessary knowI-
edge the children gain from his or her training.
Teachers, what are your scholars going 10 be, a
standing monument Of your devotion and integ-
rity, or perpetual reminder Of the test you were
unable TO stand and the misplaced confidence Of
the parents? This is fraught with interest 10
all. Which ranks highest rs public instructor,
our sprightly and valuable BEACON or our school
rooms7 Let Time be the judge.
Yours. PRoeREes.