The Russellville Democrat., 1880-02-26
DON'T FORGET TT.

me profession ol olJeacnlhR is not sufficiently honored by the av- craze Arkansas teacher. The du- ties, responsibilities, and honors of the professson are not properly ap- preciated by the average teacher. With the patrons of schools-parents who have children to send to school this same apathy in regard to the true qualification of teachers is also too prevalent. Many young men and woman seem to think that as soon as they get a superficial smattering of Arithmetic, English Grammar and Geography they are fully prepared to enter the school room as a teacher; and after they have taught few months they think it would be disparagement to their own ability to take any further train ing or advice from teachers instit- ute or an educational journal. Un- fortunately this egotistical idea is net confined to young teachers alone, for frequently 1t hangs to the older ones too, and we find them plodding along in the same old beaten track, never reading an educational iourn- al or attending teachers institute never getting a new idea, but plodding along and resting easy un- der the delusive belief that they know all there IS about teaching.
 The PEOPLE, however, are awaken Ing up from this delusion faster than the AVERAGE TEACHERS, and all over the State we begin to hear the de- mand for BETTER TEACHERS. We predict that the day is not far dis tant when teachers that refuse or neglect to keep pace with the times will find their occupation gore in Arkansas. The day may be much nearer than these dreaming teachers imagine, and we warn them to wake up. The press of the State is at work in the cause of arousing deep CT interest in educational matters. We have an earnest, determined, in- dustrious and pcrsevering State Su- perlntendent who is at work. He has enlisted the interest of the trus- tees of the Peabody fund and they have sent Prof. Ladd, of Virginia, to our State to assist Superintendent Denton in the work of placing our school system on a better and more efficient basis. The DROVE as a teacher will not much longer be tol- erated in the school-room in Arkan- sas. The demand will be for LIVE, EARNEST, PROGRESSIVE TEACHERS, who understand school-room tactics, and realizing the responsibilities Gsevolv- ing upon thom. With due appiica- ton, and by availing themselves of the advantages for improvement af- forded by the journals devoted to education, and by the teachers in stitutes, most, if not all of our young teachers may become profici, cnt and skilled up to the standard which the people must demand
 Without this application and without the aids afforded by waiting upon the means of improvement which are being placed within the reach of all
 many of those who now call them selves teachers will soon have to seek other employment.
 Appropos to this subject let us remind the teachers and those who aspire to the profession, that the , Normal District Institute will con vene here on Tuesday week, Mar 9th, and be in session three days
 Every teacherln Tn the Fifth Judicial District should attend. Ample preparations will be made for the . entertainment of visitors, and there will be no excuse for non attendance Let all come, and by interchanging views and experience, and by coun selling together much good will be