South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1882-10-20
Letter from Illinois.
Urea, LIS, Oct. 11tn. 1sS:

MR. HARPER As the time is
clos ely approaching when the schools
IN Hampshire County usually open.
we would like to make few remarks
on what we call Deadpoints among
teachers. We wish to re fairly un.
derstood. We don't want to oct i'm.
to any argument; nor TO cause any
hard feelings among the teachers. but
that some may be benefited by our
experience and observation.
The certificate is the first deadpoin,
Many who obtain them seem to think
that there is no more need to study.
Ahey have been through the books
which they must teach hence there
Is nothing more to be known They
go through the same routine, turn
the same leaves, assign, the same les.
sons, hear the same lessons in the
same old way, treat all classes alike.
term alter term, never dream there
Is room for advancement. So at
this deadpoint many teachers rest
while TIME goes on and lands their
pupils IN the business world ard So
ciety, undisciplined and ignorant, so
lar rs their common school course
may be accredited with giving them
anything substantial.
Some teachers wake mp; they find
that the educational world has NOV
ell IN advance OF them, that tho peo-
plo have ontrun them in thought, and
ale demanding results which they can
not produce. Then they complain of
difficult and unfair examinations. of
the pelverseness of the people, and of
the eXacting of school directors
Simply because the work has out,
grown them, because they have not
the interest TO carry them over the
deadpoints they give up the work in
disgust.
Another deadpoint is the failure of
teachers TO study the principles un-
DERIVING the educational work.
They may be diligent in the study of
the sciences & active in the accumula,
tloh OF facts; yet, if they fail to study
how to make their know ledge availa.
bic in securing the mental develop
ment OF their pupils, the result OF their
work must soon fall below that dc
manded by the people. 1t is useless
Tor the teachers to presume upon the
supposable ignorance OF the people.
This is bloc, over which many Il
teacher has stumbled. The people OBJ
serve and reason and they arrive at
conclusions by short cuts which the
most self-sufilcient gain sayer can.
not disturb, nor the logician evade,
be he ever so egotsticaE. So if tea.
cheers are not ut ease in the struggle
Tor knowledge, neither can they af.
ford to be at ease in seeking to know
how to approach, prepare and'hold the
minds OF their pupils in order that
they may be instructed, nationally in,
formed, and disciplined.
The knowing when and how to I'M
part information determines the sue
cess OF teachers, ard gives the results,
the standard by whioh the people
measure the schoolroom work. This
logic OF the people is rigid, and the
standard is mercless. Bat who can
censure them? The mental interests OF
their children are at stake. And tea.
cheers must avoid these deadpoints,
these tempting resting places, if in
the schoolroom they would NEE t the
stern-but rca sonable-demands OF
the people.
Another deadpoint is the avoidance
OF the reading OF professional works
and school journals. These works
contain the best thoughts OF leading
educators, throw light upon the in
trlcacies of the work, ami are admira-
bly, calculated to fortify teachers, and
to arouse ard to sustain interest IN
them. But these cost money. and
hense, seIfdenial on the part of tea
cheers II they would possess them. A.
gam, 1t demands interest i'm the cause
OF education, and Il great self.sacri
tce OF ease to read and study them.
as this reading and studying must be
done after the days work OF the
sctoolroom Is over, and the prepara-
tons for the next day are complete
1T Is reading and study at ones own
expense OF time, vitality and money.
with but a general interest in the
cause OF education, and conscious.
ness OF the responsibility OF the work
TO support the draft.
Our article is already long enough.
We hope VIC have offended none. -
Teachers, let us pride ourselves in our
noble calling and zealously strive TO
educate the rising generation. De-
string the goodwill of our teachers
we will quit. Yours Truly.
A TEACHER.
Gen. y. i. Butler, democratic can.
dldatc for governor Of massachusetts.