Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1881-03-19

The cry is almost universal that the
public schools are in the hands of i'll
prepared, underpaid teachers. Some pre-
scribe this, and others that. remedy for
the evil. Better wages and good super
vision will go far toward changing this
condition of things; but there must be
something behind both Of these, which
are but the symptoms of the disorder.
All real improvement must come from
within. A sick man RECEIVERS by his own
vital energy, while the medicines only
hold the disease in check until these
forces can act. In the same way the i'm
prOvement of the public school depends
upon the eleYatiOn of the professional
character of the teachers, more than up-
on external conditions.
Natural fitness for the duties of the
teacher should be the first consideration
by those intending to enter the profess
sion. No amount of training can COM
peDSate for natures deficiencies. Earnest
determination to excel may do much to
stimulate .One on against his natural
bent; but, when a crisis comes, the arti-
fetal character so labOriOusly induced
will break down, and the unfitness of the
teacher Will become apparent to himself
and his district.
A vigorous body, with nerves of steel,
which sendentary employment, an over
worked brain, and veXatiOns innumer-
able cannot break down, is indispensable.
Lacking this, it will be discovered SOON
er or later that the schOOl-rOOm is an
apartment in the inquisitiOn. An equal
ly vigorous brain is needed, along with
the strong constitution, in the teachers
makeup. An intellect, i'm the most per-
feet condition of healthy growth, ca
pable of ieep thought, broad investigat on,
farSighted planning, and under system
attic discipline; sensibilities tender as
child'S, that feel an honest sympathy with
every pupil, and glow in the eye, modify
the voice, and preserve the temper under
the most trying circumstances; a will
power, firm and gentle, used!tO confront
ing difficulties and by its very force see
ing them vanish, confident in its reserve
strength and fearless in pursuing a pur-
pOse-these constitute the mental stock
in trade Of the born teacher. How few
have these first requisites of success, and
fewer still, before undertaking the teach
er S duties, consider al ali whether they
need such conditions of body and mind.
The candidate for hOnOrs in the pro-
feSsiOn of teaching mIst make special
preparation for the calling. An intellect
we'll disciplined by systematic study and
vast store of general knowledge are es-
Sential to success in all intellectual par
suits; but to these must be added exact
technical knowledge Of the principles
underlying the science, together with
training in their right application. In
teaching, as in other responsible posi-
tiOnS in life, we insist upon special apti-
tude and thorough training for the i'm
pOrtant and difficult work. Teaching is
both science and an art, hence the
teacher, to be truly so called. must be
scientific artist. The principles upon
which the science is based are as COM
pick, and mastered only by as hard study,
as those Of law or medicine. The teach
er unacquainted with them is as ineffi-
cient as the lawyer ignorant of Black
stone, or an astronomer of Newton. And a
teacher only becomes true artist by
possessing the power Of intense applica-
tiOn joined to natural fitness.
The thorough preparation just urged
upon teachers preSuppOSeS an earnest
devotion to the profession and deter
to follow it. 1t is folly On the
part Of the teacher to make the needed
for his calling, and then on
the smallest pretense forfeit his adj
yancement and begin again in another
line. If adapted by mental and physical
endOWments, give yourself up to your
chosen pursuit with all the intensity of
your nature. Master its principles, read
its history, cultivate acquaintance with
its approved methods, and love it with
undivided affection. If man, prove
your manhood by hOnOring yourself and
your noble profession; if a woman, its
duties we'll performed will not unfit you
for any other station in life. In either
case mix brains with your business as
the painter Opie did with his cOlOrs.
The consideration of natural fitness,
special preparation, devotion to the
work, and determination to follow it,
are the conditions of radical improve
ment in the teaching profession. Better
pay will then be cheerfully offered and
wiser supervision of some avail.-W. Il.