The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1880-02-27
EDUCATIONAL COLUMN.
Teaching a Profession.

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Teaching a Profession.
Law, medicine and theology are con-
sidered the learned professions. We can
zee no reason why this should be so un-
less it is that in these branches men can
make more money, and get constant &C.
cupatioD. or, at least, make q living, and
consequently more men have made them
their occupation for life. Occasionally
q man makes profession of practical
chemistry, of lecturing, or of journalism,
and the like, but the great majority of
men who stick to one branch for life are
found in the three professions above
named. Many men teach while, lect-
ure while, or edit paper for a short
time, but there are comparatively few
who make any of these professions life
work. Money must certainly be at the
bottom of it. The three professions, So
called learned, always afford chance to
make money, or, at least, sufficient
living. The poorest of clergymen are
supported, the pettifogger makes money
and the quack literally coins it. But
few can become authors, and still fewer
make living with the pen, and the ma
jority of teachers are miserably poor and
remain go all their lives, and many are
obliged to seek out some other occupa-
ton. Why do so many good teachers
abandon the profession and take up one
of the learned professions? The reason is
plain. There is more money in them,
more assurance of living. We would
no doubt have better teachers had we
more men who devoted their lives to it.
But what is the remedy? Pay them
better. But we cannot control that.
Supply and demand regulate prices in
this matter as in everything else. 1t is
natural for school boards to employ the
cheapest teachers, other things being
equal, and where there are SO many
claiming place they will as naturally
cut down on the prices. So many make
teaching only stepping stone to some
thing higher, or rather something else,
for there is no profession higher than |
that of the teacher.
This matter will right itself when our
population increases SO that more pupils |
can be taught by the same teachers. In
cities and towns teaching can be made a |
profession, for schools can be kept in ses-
sion nearly the whole year and can be
graded so that one person can manage
fifty or one hundred pupils, but in the
country one teacher must try to manage
fifty or sixty pupils of all ages from five
to twenty-one and Of all grades from A.
B. G. to algebra.
How can the country teacher become
an expert? What is there to encourage
him in the profession? He sees nothing
but failure awaiting him. Few persons,
either male or female, can manage q
country school and please their patrons.
And if they do not please them, what is
the result? Look for another situation.
Then to think of their paltry wages.
Their wages look large in most peoples
eyes because they get from twenty-five
to fifty dollars per month, but take it at
the average price, what does it amount
to at the end of year? Very little, for
he is out of employment half the time.
Men can follow teaching in the country
and support family by close economy,
but how many will do it when the So
called learned professions offer them bet
ter recompense, and thus natural selec.
ton thins them out, while others, anx-
ious to earn few dollars while they are
for another profession come in
to take their places. Thus the country
schools are taught by kind of floating
class who never intend to make teaching
a life work. Can it be expected that
such class would take the interest in
that one would who expects to
make it life work
But we would say to all persons COM
to teach school, to do their best.
you are intending to become
q physician, but are teaching while pur-
suing your studies, trying to earn little
money to take you through a medical
course; if you devote your whole time
and attention to the work while you are
at it, it will pay you if you do not get
any more money for it. You are train
ing yourself for future usefulness. Just
As you ate now, so you will be in future.
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