Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1885-11-12

any one v no IL able to obtain certificate IS
fitted 10 teach school. The demand Of this
l9h century is for skilled labor-no,
less IN teaching titan in the departments Of
mechanics and art. Some teachers Keep
school others teach school
he essential difference between these
two classes Of teachers is IN the work done
by them, outside the school-room "Specis al
preparation !. prerequisite toI teaching,
ws> Tie d.ctum OF Horace Mann. This is
true, no, only Of the training and culture
which Is necessar, to 1T one for he office
OF teacher, bu, II IS equally true of the
specIa! preparation one must make for the
particular school be is teaching This labor
Is ,wofold. 1t consists IN his o~n daily
preparation and in securing The interest and
co-opsrs,ion Of parents.
That da'iy preparation is essential, no
wi. deny. \ thorough understanding
Of the lesson TO be taught lies al TIE foun-
da'Ion Of freedom IN teaching. One canno,
give very clear description o. that which
Is 10 him as vague as trees waking.
The thorough understanding Of subject
can be gained only BY patient study. No
matter how long teacher has been hand
ling a subject, when he attempts TO carry
new class through il, be needs TO refresh his
own mind. When Araold Was asked why
be took such pains. when these lessons had
been SO thoroughly prepared in former days
be replied; Il wish my pupil. 10 drink from
a running stream and not from stale waters.
Attempting 10 secure the iuteres, and CO.
operation Of parents seems 10 many a
Utop!an scheme. The indifference Of par
ents Is pIo,erbial. Character" saws a late
writer, needs no organ, 1t acts by simply
being" have known districts which have
been completely made over by the influence
Of the noble pure-soul-d women who taught
their schools, and II ii we're proper 10 cal
names in an assembly ike this should love
10 point them out
But what are some Of the methods b,
which this delightful communit, Of Interest
between parent and teacher may be secured:
| can hint at only few.
Every teacher is well aware that his great.
e-t difficulty does not always com. from the
ignorant parents, but from the better clas,
who are unwisely indulgent 10 their children
Il IS well for the teacher to take the initia-
tive steps in the matter Become acquainted
with The families Manifest a real sympaih,
for each member. Talk freely with the
parents Let them see that YOU have the
good Of their children at heart. that you
earnestly desire to help them in building
up strong, noble characters. Making the
sehool-room attractive is another way OF
winning the good twill and the interest OF
parents.
knew one teacher who went into dis
trict here parental interest was at the low
est etb. Shs proposed TO the pupils to
atorn the unslghty walls of the schoo-room
with pictures, cut from illustrated papers.
She furnished the papers, the children cut
them out and put them up, wherever there
was ali ugly hole. She also placed growing
plants in the windows and the children kept
fresh flowers on her desk. They carried
home the report of the new decorations, the
result being that in district where no par
ent had been in the school-room for years
twenty visited II during the term and a
fresh coat of whitewash was put on the walls
before the next teacher came.
A teacher recently told me of a method
she had prscticed with success. Whenever
she was to have general exercises of special
interest. she sent notes Of urgent invitation
to the parents TO be present. Though al
the parents would not come, yet enough
would respond to show their appreciation Of
the kindly interest Of the teacher. Indeed
there are few parents who will no; respond
to persistent interes, kindly expressed
Another part Of q teachers work outside
of school should be directed toward educa
fionai progress. Every teacher who wishes
10 make the most of his school will endeavol
to awaken the thought in the district and
raise the public opinion TO higher stand
ard. One writer goes SO far as to sav
Measure your success BY the improvemen nj
in the educational atmosphere. Your value
to the district will depend upon the change
you make in the tastes and thoughts of the
district" No teacher who is thoroughly ia
earnest to forward educational progress will
fail to attend all educational meetings and
be willing to take part in them.
There is no teacher, however humble, who
cannot add something of interest to any
meeting. An interchange of thoughts and
ways and means is always beneficial Know.
ledge, like money, was not meant to be
boarded. If a teacher has found certain
way beneficial, he is bound to share it with
his fellowteachers. He will be the richer
himself for SO doing, fer in this department
it is true, There is that scattereth and vel
increaseth and there is that withholdetf