The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1888-02-18
RUNNING A SCHOOL.

EDITOR lNTELLIGENCEK :- When,
and by whom the semi-slang phrase,
the caption Of this article, was original
ed is OF no concern TO the writer, but
| will use it for the foundation of IL few
remarks, wise or otherwise, relative to
that body OF persons vClept school
teachers aud their vocation. | will for
my present purpose divide the teachers
OF common schools into two classes :
i'll OF IN class being engaged in
%"running Schools" the other teaching.
The school runners rarely lin his or her
estimaiion) get wages enough, and
therefore cannot afford 10 strain (?)
their minds i'll teaching the young idea
how to Shoot" but attend the school
the hours required by law each day,
and spend the time in the easieat man
ner possible, and-draw their pay.
These persons sometimes become eX-
perts III 'electioneering," using schemes
and means best suited to their purpose,
in order to make themselves "solidr
with the directors in order to get the
next school. Their ways may be like
ened to those of the willy politician, who
uses one term of Office in such u man
ner as Is thought best to secure a re-
election. | will admit, for the sake of
argument, that the wages are not com
mensurate with the calling, but on the
other will assert that they are sufficient
for the talent employed. See! The
teacher who has a reputation gained by
successful teaching can always get
charge of a school at remunerative
wages. lie don't have to scheme. lie
is known to be a worker; he pushes as
it were his pupils through the various
branches from A. b. g. up. He Is a
student also. None of the pupils ever
''stall' that teacher. Now let me
change bearings. | thought | heard
some IL say that one has to have his
first school. That's so. Having
secured that, do you want to know
how TO get the neIt? Yes. | presume
first that you have thoroughly prepared
yourself, and have a good certificate.
Well, no difference what wages you
are to receive, you have made a con-
tract and must abide by it. When you
enter the school room as teacher 70 to
work (and it is hard work .oo) and
study. Study human nature; ascer-
tain the peculiarities of each pupil; be
kind and gentle, yet firm; do not set
yourself up to be u majestic lord and
iyrant; greet each pupil with d kindly
good morning; treat all alike, whether
rich or poor, high or low; secure the
affections OF all, and cause them TO love
and fear you; don't encourage undue
familiarity; have no cOnfidants among
the pupils, and no intormers. If Billy
Jones comes to you and tells You that
Tommy Brown was shooting wads,
first punish Billy in Il way that he will
not soon forget, and then investigate
Tommy's alleged misdeneanor. Place
the motto, "Do Right" conspicuOnsly
in the room, and avoid having a long
list of rules. Obey the motto YOUR
self, and cause the school to obey 1t
also as far as practicable; never en-
ploy any outrageous, unduiy severe or
ridiculous punishment, if necessary TO
punish control your temper TO your
utmost capacity never PUNISH a child
when angry, better let it 90 without {;
put 1t OF until such time as you eau be
cool and collected; keep a strict watch
over the pupils out OF as well as in
school. As TO teaching, "rush things"
create enthusiasm, emulation aud a
spirit Of rivalry as to who shall o%ftenest
attain the head of the class; stimulate
the weak and encourage the strong;
don't be afraid that your most advance
ed pupils are getting too near your
own attachments, and try to repress
them. or call them nicknames; you
may destroy their future there
by, and entirely chill the ardor tor
learning the pupil may have. The
school teacher has a high and sacred
calling, scarcely inferior to thar of the
minister. After a fair trial as above
indicated if you conclude that you can.
not make Il success of teaching, quit al
once, and don't get into the ruts and
Jog along "running" a school. Think
OF the many minds whose curtail-
ment you must become responsible
for. If, on the other hand, your
teaching proves successful, you will
soon be able to command paying wage
with little effort on your part.
EX-PEDAaodUE.