Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1882-11-23
TEACHER'S TRLB UL41L0NS.

';In much wisdom is much grief and
he that increaseth knowledge inereaseth
sorrow"
If the "wise man" never taught
school he must have been one of the
members of the school board, for he
seems t. have had great experience. and
says that all is vanity and vexation of
spirit. This is especially true of the
business of teaching public school, The
teachers trials begin with his first pre-
paration to become teacher. 1t is al
most impossible for him to ascertain just
what he is expected to know in order to
pass a good examination. In any other
profession the student has a definite
idea of what he is required to know, bnt
the pedagogue may be sort of trav-
cling encyclopedia and still not be able
to answer correctly all the questions pro-
pounded by the County Board of Tx
aminera. After passing satisfactory
examination and receiving license his
troubles greatly increase and though
many of them are too petty Co be called
fluctuations, this only makes them the
harder to be borne,
Hunting school, has real as we'll as
imaginary difficulties connected with it,
especially if it is hunting the first
school.
The inexperienced lady teacher can
scarcely get situation, and when she
does succeed in procuring one, she has
no assurance how long she may be able
to retain 1t. In our rural districts few
of the teachers can keep the same situa-
ton mole than one or at the most two
terms, and in fact there are few places
that the best Of teachers are retained for
longer time. In no other business is
there more danger of being dismissed
without just cause. The waywardness
of the pupils increased many times by
the unreasonableness of their parents,
often makes unnecessary trouble for the
faithful teacher.
The government of large schools is al
ways difficult, even when the parents
are unusually intelligent and assist the
teacher in the work.
But the greatest tribulution IS the
low salary ana this causes the teacher
trouble t? prepare himself to teach we'll
The teachers fluctuations are always iu
an inverse racio to his salary. In old
times there was less effort to manage
schools by moral suasion, and the teach
ers were often petty tyrants hated and
feared by their pupils, This causes the
idea TO be prevalent that the teacher is
fit subject for persecution, and they are
generally hindered instead of .encour-
aged III their work. No wonder the
men leave the profession for something
better, aud the ladies get married the
first good opportunity they get.
Teaching is good discipline, and its
trials and tribulations fit the pedagogue
for enduring the trials of after life.
Many Of our best public men and wo
men once taught school. Il has a
brighter side, and it is the duty of the |
teacher to rise above the petty annoy
ances and see only the silver lining of
the clouds that overshadow his pathway
Only those persons that are of cheerful
and pleasant disposition are fit at all TO
be school teachers. Thew should al
ways endeavor to accomplish all that
skill, intelligence, and love can sug-
gest For
IT'S rich young soil you're tt aiming.
Then scatter the good seed well
Of the wealth of the golden harvest
Eternity will tell,
But trlbulations is our theme, and they
are caused many times by the teacher
having too much to do, and by being
hindered by thoughtless visitors.
Anxious parent drops in
Merely to inquire
Why his olive branches
Do not shoot up higher;
Says he wants his children
To mind their p's and as
And hopes their brilliant talents
Will not be abused.
Spelling, reading, writing,
Coaxing up the young ones,
Fuming, scolding, fighting,
Squirting up the dumb ones,
Reading dissertations,
Feeling like fool,
Oh, the tribulatiOns!
Teaching public school"
I. in my mind have pondered DER
The miseries that beset the teacher;
The prosecutions which he bore,
The scoff and scorn of every creature.
But there is a crown to he worn by
ali who nobly be4r the cross; and if the