The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1879-01-02
TEACHERS.

Nov IS to teachers, for there is no
other vocation that demands on the
part Of its followers the possession Of
such wisdom, charity and purity of
character, such eyerready versatility
of resources, and above all, such a
large fund Impractical common sense
as does that Of teaching children.
Now what has been the character of
those employed in our public school {?
Have they had the native or Unborn
capacity, the acquired information,
mental vigor, shrewednes5 and tact ?
I answer no, too many people think
that teaching school Is not work, too
many school boards have thought that
my dear friend B. d. & c., are Just as
competent to train, to educate, to ad-
vance my child-the children Of my
neighbCr, as the man or woman who
has been specially educated for this
work. a work that Is worth doing at
all IS worth doing lcsjl; or in my cpin-
ion had better not be done at all. Many
teachers are unfit and deficient IN
about all that should be characterized
and embodied in the teacher Many
who have been employed to teach do
not possess the requisite natural or &C
quired fitness for this work, Why
because there has been too much indit-
ference, too much question Of avail
biiity rather than fitness. They DO
not pause to inquire is this one too
unlearned, this one physically uDfit,or
is this one entirely unfit because Of ma
tive inaapacity.
The money paid 70 the Incompetent
lazy, vicious, ignorant teacher, care
less, unreliable, superficial in knOWl-
edge, stronger 70 do and be wrong,
wearker to do, and be right, IS money
thrown away. During my administra-
ton, l have found that too little at
tenti0n has been given to the teacher,
that the mode Of licensing has been
too careless, too little Inspected, or
that they have been too little advised
in their work. ! have tried during the
two years I've had the school interest
in charge to raise the grade Of teachers
and to overcome, to some extent the
inperfections, for in my opinion the
school houses and the educators Of
country are the signbOards to ciViliZa-
ton, enlightenment and indicate the
habitation ana sure continuance Of
Of freedom.
But, in conclusion, while there has
been lack of good management in
some things, there has been much
good accomplished in others, and the
bright faced intelligent, noble promis-
ing children Of IIardeman county will
some-day thank the supervisors ofpub-
lie education, Thank them for the
chance to learn their letters and to
read, thank them for the privilege
they have had in acquiring a knowl-
edge Of such things as must be taught
every child who Is to take your place
and mine as respectable citizens IN the
work Of life.
The following is my statistical re,
port to which I call special attention:
No school Di~ ricts in county.-l9.
Scholastic population.-Whi te male,
1885; white female. 1851. Total white
1886. Colored male, 1899; colored te-
male, 1892. Total colored 1891
Grand total GIT.
Number Of teachers employed.
White male, 81; white female, "a;
colcred male, 81; colored female, D.
( Total 107.
Number Of schools in comfy
White, 73: colored, 81. Total 104.
Mum Der graded schools, /. Number
consolidated schools, /.
Number of pupils enrolled during
the year. White, 2534; colored, 1866.
Total $500.
Average daily attendance, 214O.
Average No. Of days taught II each
school, 80.
Average compensation Of Teachers