The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1889-05-01
The Office of Supervisor.
BY A TEACHER.

On Tuesday next, at the shire towns
throughout the state, will occur the first
meetings of the county boards of edu-
cation. All advocates of the educa-
tional advancement of our state look
with much concern to the action of the
several boards on that occasion, for
upon the result of these first meetings
will depend, in great measure, the
success of the most prominent feature
of the new school law. The office of
county supervisor of schools, though
new to Vermont, has been tried in
other states with good results-results
depending, however, upon the efficiency
of the men selected as supervisors. If,
on Tuesday, the right men are chosen
for this office, we may look for an i'm
provement in the public schools
throughout the state. 1t has become
automatic that one of the most power
full influences in raising the standard of
any work, educational or otherwise, is
efficient supervision. The qualifica-
tions of a school supervisor should be
of no mean order. The clerical work
of the office, the examination of teach
ers and granting of certificates and
the perfunctory visiting of schools,
could be performed by the average
high school girl. Something more,
however, is required of competent
supervisor. In him good executive
ability and natural qualifications of a
high order must be combined with sue
cessful professional experience. He
should be practical teacher, one con-
versant with the means and methods of
to-day. Teaching has become pro-
fession, and no profession is more pro-
gressive. The school-room methods of
ten wears ago live only in the memory
of former pupils. A supervisor, a die
tator over hundreds of teachers, must
be one to command the respect of those
teachers. An unsuccessful or broken
down practitioner from some other pro-
fession would be obviously unfit to adj
wise and assist those who have spent a
lifetime in the school-room. AS well
talk of selecting a farmer for a pre-
siding elder, or lawyer for superin-
tending physician. No person is in the
highest degree prepared to supervise in
any department unless he has himself
served as practical worker in that de-
partment. If the supervisor is to be
such, more than in name, he must be,
in one sense, an expert-one who deals
not merely in generalities, but who, on
going into a school-roOm, sees at a
glance the causes of weakness in man.
agement and defects in instruction. In
accordance with the dictation of the
law he must teach teachers how to
teach. Scores of our public school
teachers are in need of just such an
adviser, one thoroughly imbued with
the professional spirit of the day-a
man with a strong personality and
kindly heart, who can meet with the
teachers of the county as co-worker
who can enter into details and give
help, encouragement and inspiration
leading them all along ITO that higher
plane of most improved methods. Will
such man as this in every county, the
schools of the state will all become {
part of one well-regulated system, fra
ternal spirit will be promoted among
the teachers, higher qualifications il
both teachers and pupils will be in
sured and the whole will result in {
hundred-fold return to the state for thu
comparatively small outlay she ha
made. 1t is the evident desire of thu
people that the best men be selected
for the Office of supervisor, even If
be necessary to look beyond the limit
of the state for suitable qualifications
But, in the inevitable rush for publi
offices, the pressure of influence may b.
brought to bear in favor of men no
especially fitted for the work. AS SAT-
man prominent in the educationa
affairs of a neighboring state, "th
danger of the system is that influence
may outweigh qualifications" Tn
county boards have responsible dut
to perform, and the wisdom of thei
, choice can be fairly tested only in tn