Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-03-30
EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
Conducted by J. II. Terry, Principal Of Ainera
Point Public Shoots.
Teachers Journals.

fession OF any Importance in this
country that has not one or more
periodical publications devoted to
its interests. There is scarcely a
successful worker in any line of
business requiring intelligence who
dose not add to his information, and
keep himself in sympathy with
others of his occupation, by reading
such periodicals. The degree Of in
terest he manifests In the work of
others as recorded in these publica-
tons is usually in the direct ratio
of the success of his own labors.
But there are thousands who do
not thus read, who know nothing of
the advances members of their own
craft are making, who believe their
own narrow horizon bounds all their
profession contains, and who still
wonder that others achieve so much
more than they.
There is no doubt that among
teachers this class is to be found, and
it is feared that the proportion is as
large as in most other callings. The
first can admit of but one explain
alton. 1t is not poverty, it is not
the possession of abilities that rem
der the use of such aids unnecessary,
it is not the Deficiencies of profess
sional journals as is sometimes
urged by class ofcritics(?) who have
the least acquaintance with them;
it is simply lack of devotion to the
work which they have underta ken
lack of determination to make
their efforts count for all possible
benefits to those they teach-lack
of aspiration to win for themselves
all the rewards that successful labor
must ultimately bring.
The schools of Iowa county en-
ploy about $50 teachers. Two or
three dozen copies of the Wis.
Journal of Education are sent into
the county and possibly Though
not probably as many more of 9TH
er educational periodicals. Making
due allowance for the reading of
the same copy by two or more
teachers, it is yet safe to say that
more than one-half the teachers, of
the county can teach school well
enough to suit themselves without
knowing anything of what other
teachers are doing or thinking or
whether there is stir or progress
any where in the whole educational
field.
The question is here submitted to
this class of teachers, should this
article chance to fall under their
notice, whether they can, in view OF
the grave responsibility entrusted to
them-the responsibility of fitting
men and women for citizens of a
country like urs-conscientiously
neglect any means for the more
successful prosecution of their work.
Can they, without blindness to
their own personal interests, as well
as indifference to the good name OF
the whole class of teachers, neglect
these means.
1t is true that the plea that they
do not expect to be teachers for
more than two or three terms is
tacitly, if not openly advanced by
most of this class. Without at
present discussing the question
whether SO important a kind OF
work should ever be entered upon
with such a purpose, it would seem
a sufficient rejoinder to this excuse,
that for the time that is given to
teaching, the most intelligent as
well as the most earnest effort is
the plain duty of every one who
engages in it.
At the coming examination a
large number of teachers wholly
destitute of experience will no doubt
be licensed. Would it not indicate
good judgement, and laudable en-
thusiasm for these to begin their
career by placing themselves in
communication with other and
older members of their profession
through the agency of some good
teachers journal?