The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1888-11-09
NUMBER 81.
TEACHERS OF JACKSON
COUNTY.

Editor Democrat-Star:
We, of the profession, would do
well II we set ourselves TO work to
take account of stock-educational
stock. This matter demands the
consideration OF all earnest work.
ers in the profession. Poor teach.
ers, poo; schools, poor scholars.
And why? For the reason that
public opinion or rather compre-
hension Of The subject of public
education, has not grown in pro-
portion TO the demand Of the times.
1t is said that ii we could edu-
cate the patrons we might revolu-
tionize he schools. But in nv
opinion it is not so much the neces-
sity Of revolution as the awaken
ing Of the educators.
Ten years have passed since the
so called system Of public instruc-
ton WAS established in Mississippi.
During that time what particular
o. substantial advancemeuts have
been made to improve this faulty
structure? Comparatively none +;
the entire work has been left in
the hands of politicians who could
fad no opportunity TO attend to so
tilvIal a mater us free schools, for
the public at large.
In the mean time it never oc-
Cured to the teachers OF this coun-
ty, as a body, that they are the
prime cause of delay in The much
needed reformation. They have
failed 10 meet and debate the busi-
ness they a,e engaged IN, the boun-
daries OF which are yet 10 be fixed,
its modes and customs determin
ed.
Then why sit we with folded
arms and complainingly wait ?
The work TO be accomplished
must be done by the teachers,
whether begun now or delayed an
other decade.
Means lie dormant in the brains
OF teachers and friends of educa-
ton, but they must be set in mo-
ton, and when a healthy move
ment has secured an intelligent
knowledge OF this matter, then we
shall see The much needed and de-
sired reformation. Then the op-
preston Of politics will be lifted;
then the supervisors Of public edu-
cation will be chosen from skilled
and practical educators then there
will be a marked Improvement in
)ur teachers, schools and scholars.
IN word, our schools will be
brought up TO The level Of the
ines.
You may ask how this is 10 be
lone. The Teachers Associations,
beginning with county associations,
lave accomplished all this and
nore Let us have: ~ County
teachers Association. All matters
10 The SUBJECT of educa-
iOp, should come before the Asso-
iatiOn as they con before other
Imilar bodies, by motion and res
luton. ~ The time of office
members should cover the pc
cd of time of our political repre-
entatiye at Jackson. This would
revent the discussion of the same
ling and tend to place all matters
a proper light before the Legis-
tive Assemblage. g.. The coun.
: association should elect men,
ers TO the State associations.
Ii there are men engaged in the
ork OF teaching who have not as
med the title of Professor in or
sr TO use the profession as a STEP
ng stone TO something better;
I'd women who have more exalt-
ideas of the work they are fol-
wing than 20 use it only as a
cans by which TO supply their
wants; then let such
nsider their duty 10 the cause in
llch they are employed.
These suggestions are offered
th the hope that there are
ough earnest workers IN Jackson
unity to put them in practice.
J. T.