Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-10-09

NdluC thdH dll Lut INV NtTSs uOclOFS ana
ministers rolled up together. Henry
Ward Beecher.
The TEACHER SoCIALLY.-T teach
er ought not TO be,-must not be,-a
hermit. He cannot rightfully seclude
himself from the great tide of humanity
that so strongly claims his interest and
sympathy. Indeed, it is well if he
have certain qualifications and in
clinations that will bring him in social
relations nearer to the confidential re-
gard and cooperation of his community
than is allowed to others. That he
ought to be friendly and accessible is
indisputable. We need not urge that
point. Let us attempt, however, to
vindicate the teacher from cXtrava@ant
demands on the one hand, and frequent
misconception and unfairness on the
other. Too often n teacher is estimated
wholly upon his social qualifications.
II mat;v7---ittle how earnest, how faith
full, how efficient he may be in the real
work for which he is employed, how
rapidly he develops the minds under
his direction, if he lacks social ac-
complishments he is at discount with
a large portion of the community. But
if he is indolent at school; if he wilfuljy
and regularly Sights his professional
duties; if the school languishes and the
pupils remain nearly at standstll for
want of his attention; if he spends the
time that ought, in all reason, to be
applied to school work in social pleas
ures and winning the good will of his
patrons; if, according to their idea, he
is agreeable" this will more than
condone all other delinquencies. The
Inconsistency and unfairness of this
Judgment is too apparent to need dis
cuSsion.
But this is not the only injustice that
the earnest teacher suffers on this sub
jcct from public opinion. Too often
his motives are misiudged and he is
accused of being proud and exclusive,
when that attitude is as far as possible
from his disposition or intention Es-
pecially is tins the case when by the
amount Of his work or the responsible
ties of his position he feels unable to
make a speciality Of society. Circum-
stances depend very much on the com
munity, but the following is typical Of
a good many cases. He comes into the
community stranger. He has a
thousand faces, names and characters
to learn, The community have but one.
He is treated kindly ana cordially by a
.few. The majority prefer to ignore
him, at least ''till they feel acquaint-
ed. The former class invite him TO
their homes, and introduce him to some
of their friends He meets too many
new faces to remember them all and
thereby is accused of sighting some;
and yet there are at the same time
many others whom he would like TO
meet and to whom the thoughtfulness
of none prompts an introduction BY
the very nature of his work and the
earnestness of his purposes, he is in
deep sympathy with the people for
whom he labors, and would be glad to
be on intimate terms of acquaintance
with every respectable family. But
there are strict limitations upon his
time for social recreations; and the
natural plan is to devote his spare time,
in the main, first, to calling upon those
pupils who by sickness or difficulties in
their studies particularly need and ap-
preciatc his assistance or encourage
ment; second, to visiting those who by
their personal kindness have placed him
under obligations. and have made him
feel welcome at their homes.
In public places he desires TO speak a
kindly word to all with whom he comes
i'll contact, bit finds much embarrass-
ment in the fact that he meets scores of
people every day who know him, and
who look familiar, but whose names
aud identity cannot always be recalled.
His difficulty is increased by any defect
of vision or memory of faces. Some
times his mind may be SO engrosscd
with plans and worries connected with
his work (uuIess he be one of those who
''shut school matters within the school
house when they leave iD that he fails
to notice some on the street whom he
knows and whom ne would gladly
recognize.
He is expected to speak first. For
some inexplicable reason many who, As
long residents of the place, ought. in
all reason, to meet him smore than
half way wait for him to make the
first advances and then if through
any of the reasons mentioned above. or
any inadyertence on his part he fails to
do 50, he is accused of being proud or
morose.
Complaint is also made that he does
not visit enough. By whom? BY those
who never extended to him the hand
of welcome to their community, who
never called on him. who never invited
him to their homes, who never gave him
q word of encouragement in his work!
Sociabihty needs the cooperation of
two parties. 1t is hardly reasonable to
expect Of a teacher that which we are
to accord 10 him. We sin
cerely believe that. as rule, there is no
class more willing to be social and
friendly ESQ far as practicabIe)tha the
teacher; and we cordially submit the
question. Is he not often unkindly mis-
Judged in this respect?