The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1882-05-25

submitted. 1t does not follow that, be-
cause question is beyond the compre
hensiou of teacher to whom study is an
incident and not habit, it requires for
its calculation any startling profandity
of learning. The alphabet has numerous
intricacies for the child beginning formal
learning, but it is because his mind is
callow and undisciplined. Does it ever
strike the teacher, in whom repeated
failures or chair breadth escapes" have
bred chronic dissatisfaction with exam
nations generally, that what is iGpossi
BILE to him presents no difficulties TO On
other whose time has been so employed
as to make grumb.ing unnecessary?
Perhaps l have dwelt longer on this
SUBJECT than propriety would counsel and
have given the impression that depre.
cate comment on that which justly comes
within the province of criticism. But
criticism presupposes knowledge OF the
matter considered, and is not an lima
tured attempt to decry what is not IN
derstood nor to cast discredit because of
disappointment. So much has been said
about the difficulty of the late examina-
tons. that many have come to believe they
were unnecessarily severe. 1t is possible
that questions were little more difficult
than usual, but not Intentionally so. That
they were designed more to test iudg-
ment and reason than memory, is admit
| ted, A teacher who is unable to connect
| facts so as to draw conclusions is at best
but temporary expedient and her ser
vices should be dispensed with when the
circumstances that justified her employ
ment have ceased to exist. A teacher of
this character will always look upon ex-
| aminations as all abomination and will
| always fluid it convenient to place the
responsibility for her failure on the utter
lack OF Judgment shown by the superin-
| tendent i'll the preparation of his ques
tons. Those persons who do not come
to examinations semi-annually in fear
and trembling have had no cause for an
imadversion this spring, Judging from
the standing they have obtained.
A few teachers who failed TO secure the
required standing for certificate, have
before the examinations opened, on the
request Of school boards. School officers
are cautioned against engaging teachers
holding a low grade Of certificates, for a
longer tia:e than that for which the val
idity Of the certificates extend. The
sooner il is realized that ''once teacher,
always teacher" is a rule which does
| not prevail in this county, the better.
School meetings are now held so long in
advance of the opening OF winter terms
that there need be 10 apprehension felt
that competent teachers cannot be Sc
cured Teachers of Indifferent attain
'netts exhibit wonderful energy in max
ing applications TOY schools and their
email. The opportunities of the applicant
should be entirely disregarded if the
grade Of bis certificate does not warrant
the presumption that lie is competent to
manage the school he seeks. 1t is due
the progressive teacher that superior
attainments, as evidenced by the certi6-
cate, receive some consideration. The
reasoning which world seek to establish
"a fact, that succsss III teaching is lot
dependent on scholarship, is based on
false premises. Not only shoald the
applicant holding tie higher grade of
certificate be given the preference, but,
| if necessary to secure him. even
higher salary. There is economy in lib
erality, as well as extravaganza in pennry.
Given certain period oS time to secure
| the greatest good to number of pupils.
| The time has value not 10 be measured
| by the salary OF the teacher. Under an
inefficient teacher the time Of the pupil
is wasted partially and il some instances
wholly. The district may save few
dollars, bat the object for which SO much
has been paid out has not been secured,
the greatest good in given time; and
the pupils have lost portion of the lin
tied period of acquisition.
Most Ct the schools in the county were
| ~: tod i No inia hofl no
opening of the spring series of examina-
tions. The more thorough becomes ones
acquaintance with the schools. the deeper
the conviction that a compulsory law is
warranted by existing conditions unfavor.
able to popular education. Public SEN
timent has not sufficient coercive force
unless supplemented by legislative enact
ment, aad am satisfied the enforcement
of the present compulsory law viii meet
neglect gives occasion for it's being. The
attendance at many of the schools in this
county impeyatively demands that the
| power in the hands of boards to compel
the attendance OF children at the public
schools. be exercised.
The want of proper appliances in many
of the schools of this county is very
serious obstacle to efficient work. Cost
~ apparatus is not necessary; but GER
tain works of reference, record books and
proper school furniture are indis.
pensable adiuncts to successful teach
ing. The teacher should be made to
feel that the people stand ever ready
| TO second his efforts for the advancement
of the school. Indifference on the part
of patrons is always reproduced in the
pupils and disccurages The teacher. The
teacher needs assistance. His duties are
sufficiently arduous without adding to
their burden THAI anathetic condition too