Connecticut western news., 1889-11-06
WEDNESDAY,. NOV. 6. 1889.
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE. The Bright CD Side of Teaching.
Editor of Ne,cs {:

<<<sssOf v 4'ooS
 In last weeks NEWS the article on school teachers, by Pen Dragon, attrac- ted my attention, also the remarks by Tm NEWS on the same subject. THE NEWS requests some one to show the dark side. But is it not pity to spoil 30 attractive picture by even speaking of the dark side !? For, as THE NEWS very truly says, these articles, fiowery as they are, do not fully present the bright side of teaching, though I will venture to say some teachers never be- fore knew what an enviable position they hold. For example, THE NEWS speaks of the teachers as working 1S0 or 200 days in the year. Now, nearly all the teachers that I know, work only from 15O to 18O days in the year. In most towns the school year is divided into three terms, vacation succeeding each term. The fact that these compul- sory vacations are taken at the teachers own expense gives peculiar zest to the enjoyment of them. What an easy time these teachers have How they must look down from superior heights on merchants, clerks and doctors, who are compelled to earn and receive full pay for every month Tn the year. How they pity the editors and writers who can work In July as in January.
 During the hot summer months the teachers can rest, by paying their board out of munifcent salary, 8 privilege which is of course denied to other less favored laborers. Yet have heard of gentlemen, high school teachers, so forgetful of their privileges ss to "toil in the hay-field in the scorching sun" with farm laborers, and actually seem glad of the chance to earn wages during the long vacation. In most of the country schools, teachers are paid from $15O to $2OO per year. Out of this they must pay board at the rate of SIP per month. No wonder THE NEWS thinks them better paid than almost any class. Common sense tells us they cannot earn this by teaching from twenty-five to forty scholars few hours in the day. The extra hours, often long weary ones, spent on different lessons for the morrow, do not, of course, count. As to the noon hour, during which even the farm laborer expects to rest, the school teacher must spend much of it in the pleasing pastime of sweeping the dusty school-room. an operation which must be repeated after four o'clock if the room is to pre- sent an appearance of anything like cleanliness In some schools the chil- dren assist the teacher in this, but care ful mothers very properly object to having the dainty aprons and spotless ruf1es of the little ones spoiled.
 It is also very pleasant for teachers to know that of all workers they are the only ones to whom legal holiday is grudged. The committee, vainly try. ing to please everybody, do the best they can to dodge the holidays, by beginning foo late for Labor day, and by closing too early for Thanksgiving, Washington's birthday, and Fourth oi July. But it is impossible to avoid them all, or to avoid the consequent faultfndings. As for Agricultural fairs when school IS closed for the accommo dation of the patrons, not the teachers, part of the time Is always made up by teaching Saturdays. But the teacher has the satisfaction of knowing that although she gives her time, very few of the children will come to school on Saturday. She, can look forward with delightful anticipation to the conse quent confusion in classes Monday These things afford 8 pleasing variation if there Is any danger of monotony No, truly, Oh NEWS, you have no described half the beauties of teaching
 From what I have said it can be seer thsk teachers, if not we'll watched, vii become an indolent and purse-proue class. Therefore, I propose that they be compelled to keep the school-houst in repair and also pay for the wood, II addition to keeping the school-room clean and lighting the fires.