Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1884-04-17


Much has been said and written
upon this subject by individuals
who know little or nothing about
it.
The same opinion perhaps the
reader viii have of the writer of
this communication. But it is by
exchange of thoughts and ideas by
the teachers themselves that thu
highest standard Of perfection in
the Art Of Teaching is gained.
The profession of teaching in the
light Of routine has a slight resem-
blance TO many other ealliEss Of
far less importance and response
bility. 1t is by close application
to study, and profitable lessons
taught the teacher in the school Of
experience, that the highest results
in teaching may be obtained The
teacher who ceases 20 learn and
study his profession, soon ceases
to be a teacher. The profession TO
day Is degraded by thousands who
bear the name Of teacher, who are
as unfit for the calling. as the the
oiogian Is for the practice OF med
icine. Many of them assume the
name of teacher only for tie
amount of dollars and cents there
are in the business. Such individ-
uals crowding themselves into the
ranks of this profession, do not
degrade it only, but they cast q
! slur upon the digniEed name Of
teaching. and as those who have
spent years in fitting themselves
Tor this very responsible calling
individuals who have sufficient
scholarship to pass the required
examination believe themselves
teachers and fall into the ranks of
the profession inexperienced, AMI
/ with no knowledge whatever of the
/ Art of Teaching. The teachers Of
today are shaping the destiny Of
Z future generations, Does 1t look
reasonable that such individuals as
these can, or viii II any way e
evate the morals, scholarship, or
craftsmanship of those who are TO
take the place cf the leaders Of our
country. Is it possible that indi-
viduals who care nothing about
teaching, much less knowing moth
ing about it, can successfully do
he work that experienced ones do2
Certainly not. Such may have
sufficient book learning 10 pass
examination, and get a certificate
1 from the Board, but that Is 10
guarantee that they are teachers,
4 OF cen teach. The failures in the
greater number Of scholars TO day
are not a result OF the lack OF
knowledge by the teacher, but 4
lack of an understanding Of how to
use knowledge. In other words a
lack of an understanding of how tc
teach. What we need in our eoun-
try is a normal school to teach
teachers how to teach. II farmers
and business men hSd no more
interest in their business than
many teachers who are now teach
ing there would be failure, and
want all over the land. Teachers
need more earnestness, and should
give more attention TO their prOfcs-
sion to do successful teaching
They do not eEter their work a:
though they felt their souls wrap
ped up in the responsibility Of iti
duties. Hence We see failures il
the school room 70 day, and IN
, consequence thereof. those VIII,
are spared viii see failures in tn,
field, and work shops in the year:
to come by the very ones who ar'
children to day. All that IS ex
pected Of the primary schools Is I,
tit the rising generation for duties
of usefulness. Tor life and its real
tiles, If the primary schools m
that expectation, they viii be do
ing honor to our foreiathers wh'
had the wisdom to found such 1
system of education. II they fai
in the accomplishment Of such
there will be a cause Of such failure
and Judging the present state o
affairs from The past, they have no
flied the highest expectations, an'
we are led 70 eonclusiVely bciley
z that the flult has been wholly viii
= the teachers themselves.
IL y.