Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-05-09
Educational.
GRAvEsroN, May Q, 1882.

GRAvEsroS, May 2, 1857.
Mr.. Ep1Tos: With your permission,
this morning, we find ourselves grasping
the Quill to make few suggestions to our
school directors.
Recently it has been our good fortune
and very great pleasure to meet quite
number of our most efficient teachers, and
we are sorry, indeed, to learn that it is a
fixed purpose with them to engage in teach
ing no more, unless better compensated.
Inasmuch as the success of the whole sys-
tenn depends upon the teaching power, it
certainly behooves all directors to use every
possible effort to secure the services of
those best fitted to do the work.
To attain this very desirable end, we
doubt not, requires greater precaution on
the part of directors than is ordinarily con-
coded.
Commonly the responsibility is regarded
as resting entirely upon the county super
intendent.
Experience and observation both show
that literary qualification is only sec
ondary consideration in the character of a
teacher, for as great failures as ever entered
the school room may be found among those
bearing diplomas from colleges. This is by
no means due to their being graduates, but
to the fact that they are in the wrong pew.
Even in colleges weefnd professors, noted
for scholarly attainments, altogether unsuc-
cessful SO far as mental discipline is con-
cerned. They seem to regard the accumu-
lation of knowledge as the prime object OF
education, and hence they practice the
powring process. Now, hardly any sort OF
examination would test their fitness to
teach.
Now and then we are reminded that in
competent applicants receive license to
teach. We would better say, inapt ones
for ID many instances those receiving the
very lowest grade succeed splendidiy well,
while those bearing frst-class certificates
often fail in nearly every respect.
Now, directors should seek special fitness,
| and then pay teachers according to THEN
respective experience and ability; but in
every instance the applicant should possess
q qualification requisite to do the work in
perform it. 1t is highly improper to EN-
| ploy a second-class teacher, SO far as liter
airy attainment is concerned, to do the worl
d
| pupils from school.
| Weneed professional teachers, but, unless
| we seek this special fitness and experience
and pay higher for them, we will evidentl,
never have them.
When proper distinctions are made il
| the selection of teachers, those engaged
will not be ashamed to own their calling il
| life.
Now, to keep well posted and make i'm
! provements necessary for successful teach
ing is very expensive.
| This year, by order of the State superin
tendant, every applicant, in addition t.
standing a rigid public examination, mus
| do at least five days normal work befor,
license to teach can be obtained, unless pre-
vented by some unavoidable circumstance
Then would it not be wise. policy for tn
| directors to offer such salaries as woul,
| Justify teachers to make the most through
preparation. Surely with our presen
facility we can afford to-pay teachers from
| thirty to forty dollars month.
Wepropose to hold five days Norma
Institute at Blooming Grove, in the seventh
district, beginning Monday, May Goth, il
order that our county Normal work may Dc
conflict with the State Normal, which it i
well known begins June 21st and closes Jul
21st. We will hold another Normal Inst
tute somewhere in the county, perhaps, til
last week in July.
Those wishing to attend Bloom Grove In
stitute will please report to Mr.. J. W
Damarcus, whose post-ofice address
Halls X Roads.
Our nomal educational convention will b
held Saturday, May Goth, at the Bell Hous
in Knoxville. Let the friends of education
attend in mass, as important subjects co,
nected with our public schools, the lii
blood of our State, will be discussed.
w. G. GIBBS,
County Superintendent.