Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-03-11
OLD-FASHIONED TEACHER.

''Miss Hooker has passed her useful
ness; she's old-fashioned," said the
chairman of the school committee;
Miss Upton's class appears much bet
ter; they move with such precision and
recite so promptly, it's real pleasure
to visit her room"
Yes" said DIR. Snow, drily-"mili-
;ary drill. and parrot performances"
Il like discipline" returned the
chairman; ..you can't draw the reins
too closely in the school-room; give
boys an inch and they Ii take an ell; l
don't approve of Miss Hooker's easy.
familiar way with her boys"
Her class is always up to grade,
and, l have noticed, rank above the
average in the higher classes, showing
better habits of thought and study, re-
marked the superintendent.
1T is an important position" said
another member, land Miss Upton's
prompt, energetic methods are, to my
mind, what that class needs"
Boys of that age said DIR. Snow,
..are more easily controlled by the
old-fashioned' teacher as you choose to
call, than by military drill. Give that
class to Miss Upton. and half of them
will drop out before the end of the
year; she controls by fear. and her
teaching is wholly from books"
So decided was the difference of
opinion in the usually harmonious
board that it seemed advisable to post
pone further consideration of the sub
ject, and the meeting was adjourned.
The two teachers whose merits had
been under discussion were ignorant of
the intention of the committee to fill,
by promotion. the vacancy in the high
est grammar grade. Miss Hooker's
faithful and efficient service entitled
her to the higher position with its lib
eral salary, but her modesty would
have prevented her applying for the
place. 1t was but another of her ..old-
fashioned traits, this inability to 90
from member to member to ask in
crease of salary or higher position.
DIR. Snow had formed favorable
opinion of Mis-, Hooker not only from
her work in the school-room, but from
meeting her at the houses of her pupils,
where he noticed the friendliness that
existed between teacher and pupil; and
he also remembered the efficient aid
she rendered in the sick room; he had
seen her in the Sunday school. sur
rounded by many of her own boys, and
knew that her labor and influence were
not confined to the school-room. Sec
ing the prejudice that would prevent
her appointment to the important posi-
ton she could so well fill. or that, per-
hr l., - L..
present position, he determined to in
vestigate the peculiarities of this .'old-
fashioned" teacher. and learn, if possi-
bic, the reason Tor the disapprobation
expressed at the recent meeting. While
thinking of this he chanced to meet q
young acquaintance who had Just re-
turned for a short visit to his native
town, and remembering that be had
been a pupil of Miss Hooker, he
thought it his opportunity.
What do | think of Miss Hooker?''
asked the young man in surprise. II
think she is blessing to any boy.
to q motherless boy, as was
when entered her room. Why, doc
tor, she cared for something besides
our lesson; she cared for our bodies
and our souls. | learned habits Of po-
likeness and personal neatness in her
room that have been of great value to
me, and if her lessons in truth-telling,
and unselfishness have clung
to all her pupils as they have to me,
she has done great work. remem-
Der my first visit to pool room, which
she discovered by means of the odor of
my first cigar, and am glad TO be able
to say that the promise l then made to |
her is still unoroken. tell you. doc
tor, an 'old-fashioned' teacher like Miss
Hooker is power in community"
"Why do you call her old-fashioned?"
asked the doctor.
Because the new-fashioned teacher, |
into whose hands I afterward fell, !
cared only for marks, reports, ginger
bread performance. tinical drill, and
achievements. That kind
Of training doesn't make men, doctor,
vet those teachers seem to be in high |
favor with your committeeman"
Not with me" said the doctor hasti- !
ly; Il quite agree with you.'
1t was gratifying TO DIR. Snow to have
MS opinion of Miss Hooker so emphati-
,ally confirmed, but how to convince
MS colleagues of her worth and secure
Ter appointment was problem not
.ssily solyed. the difficulty was over
,06t1ces s-.iotove Id zt16Se ti1114f epeed !
manner before the icxt meeting of III