The Wilmingtonian., 1886-12-04

o1her toWns uhNe new scuoOluoubes anu
good apparatus. Georgetown, Selbyville,
Millsboro, Delmar, Bridgevile, and Lewes
have beautiful buildings either of brick or
wood.
whats the matter with Laurel ?" asked
the reporter. "Well," said Mr.. Williams
II cannot exactly say why the Laurel peo-
pie have not good schoolhouse. There is
a great deal of wealth in the district. They
can well afford to have good building. 1t
is discredit to the locality that they have
not. II may be that the people think they
are over-taxed already. The present struc-
ture is an old bu liing situate upon the
main street, without yards the entrance
opening directly upon the public
street. The location is bad. 1t is
entirely inadequate in seatings and is in a
bad condition. The children are crowded IN
to two rooms. A new structure should be
built in more private part of the town
where more room and Fairgrounds could be
secured.
"Mr. Williams" asked the reporter
chow do the Sussex teachers rank in the
various grades what proportion of them are
FIRST sec md, or third grades, or are there
any life certificate holders ~
"Most of them, as is the rule everywhere,
are third grade certificate holders. one
teacher, John A. Collins, who was formerly
principal Of Seaford school holds life GER
tficate But he has not taught since Aug
ust last.
There are two first grade teachers at Mil
ford. the Misses Richards, sisters.
There are from u to 90 Il cannot recall
the exact number) second grade teachers up
on the Sussex teachers roster of 140 who
hold certificates from me and are teaching
now.
Yes CONTINUED the Superintendent the
Sussex schools are advancing all along the
line. Any who question the fact let them
go through the county. 1t will not take
them long to be convinced Why it is only
lately, scarcely three years ago, when il was
diff suit in some of the districts to get the
school authorities to expend money upon
such necessary apparatus as blackboard
'Do you fnd any complaints Mr.. Will
liams," continued the reporter "from the
teachers in regard to school matters ?"
"Yes, and two important ones. They com
plain of the very email pay and the very
short school term. They say that these facts
do not justify them in making a life occuHa
tion OF the profession.
There is some strong logic, as you may
see, in their complaint.
/, myself, think that the constant changing
Of teachers works great harm to our school.
1t is not the cheapest goods that are always
ten think that as long as an applicant for the
teachers position holds proper certificate
that is all that Is needed outside of getting
her services as cheap as possible.
That is all wrong, though must say that
my experience as State Superintendent has
demonstrated to me that not a few third
grade certificate holders are superior teachers
to their first aud second fellows. Outside OF
special scholastic attainments teaching is a
special gilt of itself think.
Some of my best schools are kept by third
grade teachers. There are two or three third
grade teachers in Sussex Co., whose Dames
| could give, who only just qualify in there
60 per cent, indeed are scarcely able to pass
the required examination, but who are do
ing better work in their schoolrooms, are
more successful, have more enthusiasm, and
show more actual progress in results then in
some of the highest grades in the State.
Such teachers are indispensable.
81 would not" said the Superintendent
"give up those teachers for any others in
Delaware, no matter If holders of life certifi-
Gates offered their services in exchange
The ladies refer to have definitely proved
their teaching capacity though they have
not as yet passed high scholastic grades
visited several culored schools last week.
They are moving forward in Sussex. The
children are more regular in their attendance
on the average, than the whites. What
struck me particularly is the wonderful pro.
gIess the colured children make in reading
In arithmetic it impressed me that they die
not do so well. Too much praise cannot .,
given for the excellent enunciation aud pro
nuDciation of the pupils. There is none d
that tiresome sing song. There is an admir-
able infection TO the voice.
Many of the colored teachers are from
Philadelphia, Boston and New York. The,
seem to have taken special care in drilling
their pupils. The school discipline also il
excellent. Similar to some of the VIII Il
country schools the colored ones need furu
ture and apparatus.