The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1885-05-30
Address to Directors of Ungraaed Schools
BY JONATHAN HUNT.
[rrom the New York school journal.

from the New York School Journall
Among school directors there are live
men who work for the success of the
common school system. All honor to
such; these remarks are not intended
for them. There is another class who
seem to go to sleep as soon us they take
the oath of office. They take deep in
terest in the best method Of raising pork,
or the latest improvements in cultiva-
tor, but none III education. Not that
they value their stocks and crops more
highly than their children, but because
they are reminded by hunger three times
day that they must raise some thing
to sustain animal life.
Another class, not so numerous, are
the school killers, One is sometimes
known as the model director. Let him
stand up while address to him few
friendly words.
respect you, sir, because of your
activity and your desire to be useful.
AS business man you are a success, for
in business you use common sense.
Why do you throw aside that commodity
i'll discharging your official duties?
When you wanted a man to build
your hOusse, you were careful to get the
best workman, and when you hired
man to look after your cattle, you sought
a faithful hand. But when you wanted
teacher for your children and those of
your neighbor, you waited for a dozen
or score of applications before making
your choice. BY so doing you gave the
live directors chance to select the best
teachers, and you were obliged TO take
what were left, for every teacher, as you
ought to have known was compelled to
make twelve or twenty applications at
as many different places.
1t may have made you happy TO have
so many intelligent strangers inquirirg
after you, but it would have been better
for your children if you had ridden a
round the county inquiring for good
teacher
You have been heard to say that you
never let any applicant know that one
teacher is preferred before another; but
when you found that Tom Jones took
such good care of your farming interests,
you told him you wanted him another
year, and that you would raise his wages.
My anxious friend, did it ever occur to
you that ii you had required Tom Jones
10 come to You and sue for his place, you
never would have had his valuable ser
vices?
You kept him good while; you exam
ined his work often and your farm pros
pered. But, my friend, did you look in
to the school-room occasionally TO see if
your teacher was faithful and efficient?
No. You kept away, and when your
children reported what seemed TO you to
be strange proceedings for teacher you
censured her in their presence. II proba-
bly, did seem strange TO you that she
should ask so many questions that were
not in the book, scratch straight marks
on the states, have the small children
learn TO compose and write sentences,
let them make pictures for ten minutes
every day, refuse TO do sums for the
children at their seats, to have spelling
schools, and TO carry in wood and sweep
the floor; but, sir, if you had but taken
a little pains TO find out why she did
thus you would not have dismissed her
when her term was up. You would
have known when you had good teach
er and retained her.
Presuming that you have listened pa
tiently TO this exposition of your short
comings, that YOU are now penitent and
wish to turn over a new leaf, ! submit a
few suggestions for your guidance in the
future:
}. Fix liberal compensation for the
teachers so as to offer an inducement to
the best; then secure the best you can
get for the money without regard TO sex.
?. Keep a good teacher as long as you
can.
3. Aequaint yourself with the best
methods of teaching and school manage
ment, so that you will be qualified to
judge of your teachers ability.
4. BE cautious IN listening to children's
complaints. Say nothing until you bear
both sides. Presume that the teacher
is right in the absence Of proof
8. II you are compelled TO criticize the
teacher, do SO with kindness and discre-