Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-04-02

The work of the educator has always
seemed to me large and grand, its oppor-
tunities wide, and its responsibilities
well-nigh unlimited. For these reasons
| have felt. with ever-inCreasing intensity
of conviction. that an educator should
never assume that things as they are, are
as well as they can be; but should be
ever aiming to make them better. His
own work should not lag behind in the
race for larger and better results. ms
appreciation of the importance of the IN
terests involved moves me to urge the
ppople of this noble State not to be con
tent to remain under the weight OF
methods that keep their schools down ON
low grade: methods that waste the
money drawn from the people by taxa
tion: methods that leave the children to
pass the precious period of preparation
for their life work, all the time most Sc
riously suffering for the lack of adequate
teaching-suflering none the less really
because they do not know it.
1t is certainly plain enough for any
| thoughtful and observant person to see,
that the prevalent district system has in
if little that either secures, or tends to Sc
cure. any Improvement in the schools
from year to year. 1t has no tendency
ITO secure the selection of persons to em-
plov teachers, who are specially qualified
o determine the fitness of those teachers
for the work they are to do. The system
j. weak as to provisions for the correc-
tion of mistakes. SO far as my observa-
ion goes. the towns are exceptional
where. under the district system, at least
bne case does not occur during the year
n w hich it becomes evident near the be-
tinning of a term that the teacher is I'M
t for the work To let the teacher go
through the term, waste the money and
O incaculable injury to the children of
he district is a wrong that is not repair
ID by telling the story of the failure at
be next town meeting. The system Is a
ad one that does not make full provis-
pn for the prompt and easy correction
such serious wrongs.
The prevalent system tends to keep the
andard of the essential qualifications OF
kachers much to low. Young persons
zen laudably ambitious to teach will be
adv to assume the responsibility as
pom as they have gained the measure of
lucation and ability that will enable
EN- to pass the required examination,
then, duly qualified teachers are to be
cured. the standard of qualifications
ust be put and held where it ought to
TO do this is not only neeeful and
st, but is equally kind both to teachers
d taught. As it is, a great many teach
in our public schools are attempting
teach subjects which they do not I'M
rstand. There is much teaching
1t is largely mechanical and neg
tful of the principles involved. If
selection of teachers is entrus-
to those who. for any reason,
not understand and appreciate the diff
ence between such teaching and that
ich deserves to be called teaching,
Drly qualified candidates Will De the
re likely to be employed, for such will
more ready to apply and will be will
to work for smaller pay. any one
lid show the farmers of Addison coun-
how they could readily secure double
lrns for their present annual outlay
would get an attentive hearing and /
elk adoption of his recommendations
is perfectly feasible to secure more
n double the present returns from the
ney expended for the maintenance OF
public schools. No other industrial
nomics more deeply concern the vita
rests of the community and the State
NJ. c. ).
ornwall. VT. March lG, 1856.