The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1880-01-01

ment OF time and laber, considered in 6
money point OF view, TO thoroughly pre-
pare for school work. 1t certainly pays
| personally, giving strength and self re
! spect and making the teacher master OF
the situation. Good positions may no.
be obtained at once, but there are stu.
stions constantly opening for those who
are fit to+ill them, and the race Of the
inefficient and poorly prepared is soon
run. But, it Is argued that one may be a
good teacher and not be good scholar
This may be true to limited extent.
| One may be good primary teacher, and
not be greatly learned in the advanced
studies; but were the mind broadened
and deepened by careful study and appli-
cation; thought developed by wide
| range of proper study, somewhat better
work might be Gone even in the primary
! departments Of school work, The idea
| that any one is fit to instruct the little
ones is fast dying out, and while energy
and good viii may make teacher per-
| form routine work we'll, it is thought that
makes such work, live work; puts soul
and mind into il.
But again it is asserted that examina-
tons as conducted in this county do not
| test teacher educational qualifications;
that one may know great deal and not
be able TO average well. That an inspec-
ton of the person, and listening to con-
versation are much better methods of de-
termiping the fitness of one for the
teachers place than an examination in the
studies required by law. 1t is true that
fair exterior and conversational ability
are among the things that it is we'll for
a teacher to possess; but, in the opinion
of many, fair knowledge of the branch
es to be taught are of at least
equal Importance, and it is puerile for
any one to assert that thorough knowl-
edge of arithmetic, grammar or in fact
any other study may be possessed and a
creditable showing not be made OF pro.
per questions properly presented. Of
course, always excepting those whose ear
~ training failed to supply them With the
fluent use of language, and fail as the
young lady of Massachusetts did, who
undoubtedly did not believe in the
measuring power Of examinations. 1t is
related that she said she knew well the
name of the capital of her native state
but was unable to express it. Generally
the teacher who desires to pass for more
than he is worth doubts the ability of an
examination to test his learning, and he
casts discredit on the work of others to
cover his own inefficiency. His own lit
tie ooterie may sympathize with him and
regard him as second Solomon, but the
majority Of persons will quickly measure
the victim and ascribe to the proper
source the failure of the questions to
gauge" the knowledge of the fault
finder.
The county teachers library is now
placed on firm footing by the liberality
of the county board and the subscrip-
tons of the teachers When the books
are purchased that have been selected
the teachers Of the county Will have at
their command an excellent library. The |
membership should be general, and if !
the arrangements now in contemplation |
are carried out, the books will be placed
within the reach of every teacher who at !
tends the local teachers meeting. The !
books purchased last spring have been in
constant use and if the interest is sustain
ed the benefit Of this collection of books /!
to the county cannot be over estimated. !
The institute conducted by Mr.. Ora
ham last summer was the most success
ful held in the county since the writer
became superintendent both in numbers,
liz attendance, and the work done.
About 90 teachers have been visited in |
their schools since the fall term opened, |
and had the weather and roads permitted |
more time would have been devoted to /
this work.
With this report my official relation
with the schools of the county ceases. [ |
came to the work OF the superintendency
a stranger to the requirements of the
position and to the people and the great
majority of the teachers Of the county. |
The manner in which the people and
teachers have sustained every endeavor
to advance educational interests, and
kindly overlooked the many mistakes,
has made my official life pleasure, caus-
ing the troubles and vexations incident
to the position, to sink into insignifcance
when viewed retrospectively.
W. A. WALKER,
Co. Supt. of Schools.
MANTTowoc, Dec. ~, 1879.
PERSONAL.