Smyrna times., 1888-04-18
For the Smyrna Times.
A Teachers Tablet.
STRAY LEAVES FROM MR.. C.'s NOTE
BOOK.

How many, after crossing youths
border line, become imbued with the
idea they should be teachers?
And then again how many, after a
short experience, wonder how they
ever were so silly as to begin. "Poets
are born, not made and we are one of
those who think the same equally true
of our profession. The successful en-
thusiastic instructor, who, by the way,
is not rGrd aUis naturally possessed
the art that cultivation only served to
develop
Doesn't it recall pleasant happy days
to think Of some of your teachers ?
And isn't there others whose very
names you do not like to hear mention
ed even.
How different they were Some
magnetic, sympathetic, lovable, others
cross, ill-grained and despicable. 1t
was the very acme of delight for you
to receive the smiles and words of ap.
proVal and encouragement from the
one, the other you detested and was
glad when he departed.
Those of the latter class had missed
their calling. Their talents were not
adapted to the schOolrOom. Theirs
was another sphere. They had not
yet discovered the Divinity that
shapes our ends, rough hew them as
we will.
In speaking of school-marms the ad-
jectlve pretty" is nearly invariably
used. OF course they are far above
fiattery, or as Sam Slick says "soft
sawder," and we never could see Just
why it should be so often applied
This Is one Of great many things
that are too many for us. Maybe it is
policy, to thus speak of them.
Even lady teachers occasionally pass
sixteen and enter into 1.-THE sere, the
yellow leaf"
"Ah, pity It's, It's true" \
After institute week, have heard
people talk about like this:
Well c. | suppose you fellows
had big time last week frolicing
around with the school-marms. What
good are these Institutes any wav i:
Now when l was a boy, we never had
anything like that, and the teachers
then were as competent
WhOa-p hold on a minute Whv
man, | could not begin to tell you one
half the good they are. You cannot
imagine how much real, genuine prac-
tical value they are any way. You
have never attended any Ofthe sessions
and don't know what is done. We had
splendid lectures and practical talks
by men famous the country over in
their respective professions.
Why have enough ideas to last me
untll-the next meeting. FrOliC
around, well yes | expect so. That is
not devoid Of interest or profit There
is, Of course, an exchange of expert
ences with different methods, and 9
comparison of many other subjects thai
interest school teachers. So would
you had you been in our places
Wouldn't you want to emigrate heav
enward if all the ladies were to &c
there? These Institutes are-right off
are your GoOd-byew \
And that is about the way with some
people. They must have allopathic doses
or none. Our Institutes are doing a.
much to elevate the standard of Della
wares instructors as perhaps any
/ agency out side of the work performed
by our own indelatigable Superinten
dents. We do get great many sug
! gestiOns that one can put into practice
in his or her work They are sugges
tiOns that we might not, and very
| probably would not have derived from
any other source. The presentation
and explanation of methods that are il
actual use, not the fOssilized theories o
some of our pedagogical (hOw is that ?
works cannot be other than profitable
Yes indeed, these Institutes are granC
things, and if thought any sentimen
from this humble pen would have eff
feet, and afford my colleagues prof
and pleasure, l should most certainly
say BY all means, lets have more 0
them"
Whispering is one of the necessary
evils against which we contend.
have heard teachers remark with som,
degree of pride that There was n,
whispering in their school," 1t is no
according to nature. Now I never be
lieved that it was merely an example
of hyperbOle. | do not think tn
school exists of wide-awake energeti
pupils who do not whisper to certain
extent. / remember a trial I once hat
in my endeavOrs to wholly prevent il
Half of the scholars were kept in. S.
was their teacher. He missed his in
termissiOns as we'll as they.
After what l considered a REASONABLE
effort gave it up, concluding that on
of two things was plainly demonstra
ted, either l was not good disciplin
arian or else those whisperless school
existed only in the minds of those wh,
prOfessed to have them. Perhaps i
was the former.
We can restrict this nuisance to
limited degree and that is about all WI
can do. If the pupils are made awar,
of the disturbance it produces they will
partly stop. that is if the teacher pos
sesses their good will. And if h.
doesn't, anything and everything i
difficult. Children or at least major
ity of them will listen to reason, ant
on some it will have a much bette
effect than harsher measures. o
course there are exceptions, but speak
ing in a general way l think this i
true.
Occasional reminders will be fount
necessary however, as the youthful
mind is inclined to forgetfulness
Nevertheless it is a nuisance all tn,
same even in a minimum degree, and
for one will be glad for the Goth cen
tury teachers if by that time, it can b
abolished now won't you?
!