River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-06-12
4 Communication.
Snpr. RnsFNRERGER.

4 Communication.
SUPr. RosENBERGER,
Dear Sir:-In the Educational Col
umn of the JOURNAL of May 1st was an
article, entitled 1.-The Teacher VS.. Tai
ent, written by one of the teachers
of Wisconsin. At the close Of the ar
ticle, the writer asks the question,
'Shall we hear the remedy discussed!
Although at present am not teach
er in Pierce county, yet in considera-
ton of the fact, that at one time | was
a teacher, and fear at q time when
ga law prohibiting the licensing of all
minors as teachers might have af-
fected my qualifications as such, /
would like to make a few remarks on
the same subject, wording it, Teach
er VS.. Money
To find remedy. which will prove
a sure cure against the employment OF
incapable persons as teachers in our
common schools, is not an easy task.
We cannot reach the top of the lad
der by one grand jump: we must as
cend round by round. Fifty years ago
the Common School System was in its
infancy. Every school committee re-
duired the indispensable quality, mas
eie in its teacher Little by little brute
force as a qualification ceased to be re-
quired. Schools began to be less for
ward in announcing their triumphs
over and explosions of their teachers.
Reason began to gain ground. Intel
lect began to triumph over brute-force
until, to-day almost all our schools are
so docile that the frailest lady, if 9TH
erwise qualified can manage any of
them.
70 the teacher is entrusted the
moulding of the minds and character
of his pupils. These two great objects
of education seem to me to be but dim
" apprehended by the vast majority
of parents and teachers.
We boast of our free institutions
and point to our edifices as the orna-
ment Of our district. And so they are.
The surest marks of an elevated and
an enlightened people are seen in these
institutions which are calling forth
the intellect, the imagination, the con-
science, the pure affections, the NOR
al energy of the rich and poor through
out the whole community; in making
provision, that the rising generation,
the representatives to us to future
generations, may be trained to know
their rights, their duties and their in.
terests.
How contemplate is the show OF
wealth in comparison with these NOR
al nurseries, these republican institu-
tions, those temples of freedom whose
sanctifying light shall circulate
through all classes and all conditions
of social life. But the great work is
but commenced when the system is
adopted and the buildings erected.
The great object to be gained is to
secure the aid of able and accomplish
ed teachers. Until this step is taken
and iudicious instructors secured, a
school is but name. Here is the es-
sential point; here is the place which
demands the closest attention. What
is it that causes a school board in
many cases to hire young, inefficient
teachers? The reason is simply this:
Because they are cheap.
Afoneg is the all prevailing ruler.
Such teachers will put wages down
SO low, that there is no object for any
and in every way qualified to remain
in the profession. [ may have made a
strong statement concerning many of
our district school boards, but many
such instances of hiring cheap teachers
have come under my own observation.
Thus, those who are competent to
teach are driven to other callings; and
to secure teachers, those who remain
are chosen OF the school goes without
a teacher.
Then, there are people very particu-
lar about the persons whom they elect
to fill the position of school board. ]
do not know how this may be, as dur
ing my last two terms Of teaching the
board were highly qualified, but am
afraid in some districts, little party or
envious quibblings arise which will
result possibly in the defeat of wor-
thy man to Gil the most important po-
sition. And now, is it right to hire
incompetent teachers simply because
they can be had cheap! Is it just to
save a few paltry dollars, for dis
trict, who may drive away some hui
man soul from school, by his inability
to properly manage and control that
soul! Is it not committing an injury
which will never be eradicated, to
place a person at the helm of school
who scarcely knows enough of book
knowledge to teach, and who in reality
ought to be in school as pupil? These
are questions which should be brought
into practical consideration by any
whom they interest,
Let us have new arrangement Of
affairs. Let the god Mammon be de-
throned, and let each school district
resolve to have the best teacher in the
market. Let a large enough salary be
given to command a good teacher and
warrant others less competent by earn
est preparation.
This, to my mind, is the only sure
remedy for the evil in question. Give
a sufficient salary to insure a good
teacher, raise the standard of mark
ing in tie county, elect the right man
for the right place, ard support the
teacher, officers, and the Co. Supt. il
their work.
have taken up more space than
had intended and have not confined
myself quite as much to the subject as
I should have done, but if this item
viii cause any one TO think and act
upon their thought in the right direc-
ton, it will not have been written ~
vain. DouGLAss II. TANpY.
HaIaline University, May 5, 1854.