Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1881-08-31

A teacher should acquire knowledge. ~
rapidly as his time and means will I'd nit. of
everything that pertains to his profee.,op.
He who does not study and enlarge hi, Cd
ucation for the pleasure Of knowing and The
purpose of instillins similar desire in tho
pupil lacks one Of the most important ele-
ments Of teacher. True teaching con-
sists In creating in the mind of the child
desire to gain knowledge. This cannot be
done If tho teacher does not find hirnself in
such condition.
TEACHERS.
One hundred and eight teachers ver. in
the held during the year. Twenty OF these
had an experience of less than one wear.
and sixteen never taught before. Ohe-third
OF the whole number were, therefore, re-
cruits. hlling up the ranks left by expert
enced ones FOR more remunerative fields of
labor. Thus the itinerant character of the
profession is retained. Can teachers quail
ify themselves SO well for their work that
society will look upon experience and talent
as a necessity, the same as il does in the
legal or medical profession The demand
for learning and talent in these professions
is truly astonishing, and men do not hesi-
tate to reach down deep in the pocket, and
those who entor them seldom think of quit
ting them, because they secure for them
selves and family comfortably living 1t
is believed that the law of supply and de-
mand regulates professions as @ell as trades.
We know what We mean when we speak of
good lawyer or good physician. If we
apply the same standard of good in the
teaching profession can we say that We have
fair demand for ssgood" teachers, and if
so, have We a corresponding supplyi We
answer negatively. II society will once de-
nsnd fair talent and ripe experience and
scholarship at any price We will soon have
the supply. Can teachers create this de-
mand How did society discover the ad-
vantages in legal lore or in medical skill
When YOU save 4 mans life or his fortune
your ability is apparent, your reputation es-
tablished and your services will be in de-
mand. In like manner let the teacher dem
onstrate the excellence of skill in hi, pro-
fession. Teaching is an art that has laws
and principles and processes peculiar to it
self, and these should be widely and pro-
foundly studied. To be an adept in the
4. =
ice in the art. The answers to the prelimi-
nary questions last fall show that teachers,
as rule, believe that there is a necessary
connection between knowing a subject and
knowing how to teach it. Some of our best
book-leafned teachers taught US the worst
schools. Only ffty-five of the one hum
dred and eight teachers employed were sub
scribers Ia Journals devoted entirely to the
teachers work. All had read Wickersham's
works, but only few, such works as North
ends, Ogden's, Pages, Lynd's, sc. Enter
the private room of a lawyer, doctor or min
lister and behold the books and journals de-
voted to his profession Even jewellers,
dry-goods merchants, grain dealers and
manufacturers take journals relating to their
several trades. They note changes in trade,
progress in science and improvements gen.
orally. The reason is very obvious. Here
we see how trade and professions are alike
built up, and the teacher, if wise, will take
heed.
TEXT BOOKS.
We are not making great strides toward
county uniformity. In s. districts the
books are uniform, though different series
are in use. Teachers and superintendent
may talk and work to secure this desirable
end, county uniformity, but it is all in vain,
unless the strong arm of the law will step
in and do the work. FREQUENT changes
have tendency TO bring variety of books
by all means have all the old books taken
out. But why should change be made
every three yearsl Why not have the
books the property of the districti
APPARATUS.
We have outline maps and globes in
about half the schools, but teachers are
slow in making use of them. Directors
have right to say what branches are to
be taught, and they can require any appa-
ratus to be used whenever they see proper
TO do so.
GROUNDS.
In several districts additional land was pur-
chased to enlarge play grounds very wise
step. 1t happens occasionally that the
proper amount of land cannot be obtained
peaceably. Where a man lacks the true
spirit for public Improvement, directors
should not hesitate TO pursue the course
that the law provides, and thus perform
duty to themselves and posterity. In the
improvement of school grounds our pro-
gress is slow. In thriving communities
school lots are commonly fenced in, or out
rather. the sides to the public roads being
left open. The number of lots properly
fenced in is limited to eight or nine. Shade
trees have been set out, but maliciously in
clined persons are destroying them. The
law ought to be enforced the same IS would
be done il they were the property OF pri-
vate citizen.
HOUSES, FURNITURE, &c.
Directors are learning that there is no
economy in repairing old buildings that have
low ceilings and are not adapted to the pur-
pose, neither in plan nor size. But good
houses, suitable in plan or size, should not
be allowed to moulder and spoil. There is