The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1881-09-10
BETTER Education i'm Dur Noun
tain State.

The Gilmerite, published at Glen
vile, this State, contained the follow
ing article in its last issue, giving
good advice to teachers, which we re-
publish for the benefit Of Monongalia
county teachers:
For some time past our attention
has been drawn to the educational adj
vantages and disadvantages Of West
Virginia, and our attention was more
directly drawn to it during the re-
cent session of the Teachers Institute
at this place. A goodly number Of
teachers were present and deep inter
est was manifest, This is proof that
the Institute was a success beyond
doubt, but we were strikingly i'm
pressed with the seeming dilitoriness
of some of our teachers. 1t seems as
though they have failed to qualify
themselves as they should have done
When teachers are unable to pro
nounce or locate the SusQuehanna,
Monongahcla, Youghioghney and
other rivers almost within the borders
of our own State. and failed to spell
cities as familiar as Cincinnati, Chi
cago, Gallipolis and other places, we
claim they should become scholars
and not teachers Now in these as
sertions we do not want to be misun-
derstood, We repeat again that
Teachers Institutes are highly beni-
fetal to teachers, scholars, and all
others who attend, and we do not
want to be understood as even insin-
uating that West Virginia's school
system is not attaining a higher de
gree of excellence each year. Not so.
We are constantly advancing in this
direction, and Gilmer county is far in
advance Of what she was few years
ago, but we do claim that it is the
duty of every teacher to more thor
oughly prepare himself for school
work. 1t matters not whether you
intend to make it profession or not
you should study diligently and cul-
tivate your mental faculties just as
highly as possible. You will find it
essential in any class of business.
We often hear teachers complaining
that wages are too low, which is true,
but let that only urge you to fit YOUR
selves for higher positions where good
wages are always attainable. The
low wages paid the teachers of West
Virginia, or many portions of it, is a
stigma on her citizens, and certainly
demands speedy change. Our Nor
mai schools should be more literally
supported by the State. Our com
mon schools should be built UP to a
higher standard of excellence and
perfection. Let the teachers of Gil
mer county, instead of complaining
about low wages, resolve to make
themselves more proficient as teach
ers and then put their shoulders to
the wheel and build up our schools,
show to the people the good that IS
accomplished by good schools, and
you will find it no difficult matter to
obtain reasonable compensation for
your labors. If you follow the pro-
fession Of teaching follow it with a
will and determination. Infuse life
and energy into your work. Teach
for the good of the cause as well as
the wages. On your shoulders rests
the mental cultivation of this Noun
tain State, and with you, mainly,
rests the power Of building up the
! schools and salaries OF teachers. The
time is coming when West Virginia
will not have affixed to the tail of
her election tickets: "For School
Levy" and against School Levy"
Such ideas will be things of the past.
While it is the duty of the teacher to
fully qualify himself for teaching tits
also the duty Of the people to give the
teacher every encouragement posi-
bic, in pushing forward the grand
and noble work OF education As
our educational system advances, so
advances prosperity and enterprise
Scientific farmers, scientific mochan.
les and scientific business men are
valuable accessions to any State,
| and west Virginia needs them Our
schools have greatly increased with
in the last few years and we hope to
I see them still continue. Give rs
/ good teachers, good schools, and bet
ter educational advantages gener-