The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1881-12-08

4
| a teacher, viii be intelligently active il
| tie sdpel ROOM. sIsaenf Hiig tolasr
that school boards, in many instances,
have learned to discriminate between the
different grades Of certificates and flnd q
recommendation OF the teacher in the
degree of proficiency indicated by his
certificate. When this practice becomes
moro fully recognized there will be an
additional inducement for teachers to
seek that degree of excellence which leads
Undesirable position as well as distinction.
1t has taken some time to educate school
officers to distinguish between the differ
.ent grades of certificates. 1t requires
no great stretch of the memory to recall
the time when the possession of ''per-
NIT" satisfied the ambition of the teacher
and met all the requirements of the board;
when good certificate stood on level
with the poor one, merely authorizing its
holder to teach without being any indicia
of scholastic ability.
The scarcity of teachers is by no means
owing to the severity of examinations, as
the percentage of applicants who reoeiv-
ed certificates at the late examinations,
il fully as large as at any of the preced-
ing ones. The true cause is to be found
in the reduction of wages. Although
Manitowoc county offers a more liberal
remuneration to its teachers than most
other counties of the state, there has been
a downward tendency in wages and dis
satisfaction among the teachers has found
expression in desertien from the ranks.
Where employment is desultory, wages
variable and changes frequent, the num-
Der of teachers will always vary with
changed conditions. The principles of
political economy govern here as in all
other avocations, and scarcity or super
fluffy is mainly referable to the induce
ments offered in other pursuits.
While the school of to-day is vastly
| superior to that of twelve years ago, there
| is yet much work to be done in making
needed improvements, correcting errors
and awakening degree of interest com
mensurate with the Importance of school
work. The teacher, through the agency
of institutes and teachers meetings, the
intellectual friction of examinations, and
that spirit of emulation SO rife in this
county, is somewhat in advance OF the
people in school matters. Public senti-
ment, although healthy, is not sufficient
~ progressive. There is q degree of cor
servatism which is somewhat antagonistic
to the enthusiasm felt by the ambitious
teacher. There is a growing disposition
to leave the affairs of the school more
and more in tho hands of the teacher and
to neglect duties which can not be dele
gated. There is not that improvement
in school buildings which should natur-
ally follow increase of prosperity. Years
ago there was no great disparity between
the dwelling houses of patrons and the
log hut where education was dispensed.
But the log school house to-day, is an
evidence OF parsimony or of lack of
that interest IN educational matters which
should characterize all. The absence of
a school yard is further proof of indiffer-
ence to the comfort of school children
and of want of consideration for
the convenience OF the travelling
public. When but comparatively
few schools are found supplied
with the apparatus necessary to give
school work its full efficiency, we are
still further impelIed to the belief that
the people, more than the teacher, stand
in need of admonition as to their duties.
Fifty four schools were visited during
the summer. A number more were in
session but their terms closed before it
was possible for the superintendent to
visit them. The school district in this
county which does not maintain sum
mer school, is now al exception. One
other psaiseworthy feature is that the
same teacher is engaged for the entire
school year. The advantages of ehis
system have, no doubt, become 10 appar
ent to those adopting it, that the custom
Will rather increase th.n diminish.
The establishment of teachers meet
ings has proved highly beneficial to the
educational interests of the county in the
past, and it is to be hoped will continue
to be potent factor in further promot-
ing these interests. No other agency
can be as effective or deal with The same
direetness with matters intimately con
nected with educational advancement The
present great need of country schools is
better classification in the school-room
and system of procedure based upon
some well defined, we'll digested plan;
that is, grading" so far as the term can
be made applicable to mixed schools. 1t
is a problem awaiting the solution of the
intelligent teacher. to what extent q
country school can be graded and not
destroy that fexihility SO essential where
attainmeIts are so variable, attendance
unavoidably irregular and where only a
| portion of school year can be utilized
by number of the pupils. Can grade
be maintained if established Will ii
! impair or increase the. efficiency of the
schooll Are our teachers competent to
undertake the work are questions de-
| handing consideration in connection
with this subicos. The work of grading
is something to which every teacher
should address himself. 1t should be a
topic for discussion at every educational
meeting and should be so well considered
that failure to grade should result from
defect inherent in the system and moi
through iaek Of intelligent procedure OF