Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1881-12-07
Qualifications Of Teachers.
Read before tho Union County Teachers Aseo
ciation. Elk Point, Nov. "a, 1881. by
w. II. II. FATE.

Read before tho Union County Teachers Aseo-
". Il. II. FArr.
The teacher is Il public agent to
SO train the youth, that they may be
good citizens Of this great republic.
He is public officer charged with
the faithful performance of public
duty.
Our inquiry is, what are the quail
ifications needed for the perform
ancc of this trust. We answer:
First, Good moral character. There
can be no question that our people
to be rafe citizens, good Lawmakers
and good executive officers Of the
law, must be possessed of good
morals.
The teacher, by example and pre-
eept, impresses his character upon
lis pupils. Good mofals imply
truthfulncss. Lying is despicable
in any one, but much more SO in
the teacher. He should avoid even
the appearance Of untruthfulness
He may not repeat very much of
the neighborhood talk of his district
for fear it may be false in the ear of
some listener, and propriety if not
good morals requires, that the enun-
ciation Of the truth he withheld un-
til more suitable season if not al
together.
They also imply temperance.
What Is the effect Of indulging the
appetites and passions Of our ma
ture beyond what is necessary for
the performance Of the function de-
volving upon the organs Of our be-
ing? If we partaKe Of improper
food, either in quantity or kind, the
digestive apparatus is over taxed
aud exhausted and our whole being
suffers with the overtaxed members.
The physical man has not his us
ual energy and power. The mind
is clouded, without due reflective
and pcrceptive power The over
exercise of any of our God-givcn
powers, is culpable intemper-
ance. Reading often becomes in
temperance and destructive of all
proper results. 1t should fill the
mind with subjects for Investigation
or matter of fact knowledge, or puri-
flying, elevating Imagination. which,
by exercise, give power and compass
Of mind, greater and better than be-
fore possessed.
Good morals require that judg-
ment sits upon the throne, and Sc
cures obedience to its mandates.
| would not destroy emotion, but
require it to be'a good subject, and
have it rejoice or sympathize intclli-
gently. No terrible nightmare be-
cause the palate has been humored
no aching brow, nervous frame
and clouded mind because a literary
fancy has consumed the hours with
a dreamy, emotional reading.
But if we suggest that good NOR
ais forbid the aforesaid tendency Of
human nature, how can we sulii-
GENTLY condemn the use Of profine
language, and the habitCal use of
narcotics and stimulants by public
school teachers? | think | have
charity for some old unfortunate vet
Grams among the pedagogues of our
country, and for the opinions Of
some communities in our land, and
wish them success in all laudable
enterprises, but do not ask county
supelintcndents OF schools to second
the use Of tobacco and intoxicants
or to stultify themselves by certify
ing that would-be teachers addicted
to these vile habits are possessors Of
good moral characters. The divine
law says Thou shalt not kill" but
intempcrance destroys oil that is
good of body, mind and spirit and
leave but the worthless remains Of
what might have been noble crea-
ture, sustained by divine wisdom
for noble end, to fill an untimely
grave without honor or reward.
Good morals also imply industry.
We have no right TO squander our
time. If we are engaged in teach
ing, the days and evenings are not
ours, but belong to our employer, as
well as from 8 q. nj. TO 4 pm. The
work for these school room hours
should be reviewed. Methods Of
teaching adopted and particular
points or IDEAS to be presented, Sc
lected before commencing the days
work. Good success requires all
this work, care and method. To do
less is to defraud our employers.
Second, We answer, he should
possess certain natural qualifications.
He should have a vivacious ma
ture. Dizziness should not lie toler-
ated in the school room. If the
teacher ID languid and tired in his
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