Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-03-06
Der%adlnx a school Teacher.

Edffor ARGUs.
CoRpovrA, ILLINOIS, February II. -
Granting me the opportunity. will
endesvor to correct few mistaken ideas
the people of Enterprise school district
and vicinity have concerning the late
teacher, Mr.. r. G. Simpson. and also a
misrepresentation of the school and pro.
ceedings which we observed in the
columns OF your paper, not long since.
One OF your correspondents informs us
that the said teacher was unable to pre-
serve order in the school. and that there
was considerable fault finding by the pa
rents and children with him as teacher.
This assertion we believe TO have been
made without foundation. II the chill
dren did find fault with him, as or,
we understand it was due. principally. to
his turning them back somewhat in their
studies and not allowing them to rush
through their books hurriedly without
understanding the contents. Mr.. Simp.
son believes in being thorough in his
work. and places the amount Of knowl>
edge obtained by scholars on the quality
impaired to them, which principle we
honor him for as teacher.
We are informed by members of the
district that, If the parents did find fault
with him. it was those who failed to in.
vestigate school matters, but merely list
ened to the reports OF others, or their
children, who are not always capable of
deciding what is best for them. We find
this class to be the kind that
generally find the most fault
with school or teacher We should
not form Our opinion too hastily, but in
vestlgate for ourselves, be convinced of
the truth, and then decide for the right
We think il this plan was carried out
little more thoroughly by the patrons of
school district, and they would give their
cooperation little more with the teach
er's efforts, that better results would be
accomplished in our schools. We are
also Informed that those of the board OF
directors who did visit the school and
investigate matters, reported the school
running in good condition and Mr.. Simp,
sons methods of teaching good.
Your correspondent also informs US
that he refused to teach some of the
studies which he had agreed TO. We un-
derstand that there was no particular
studies agreed upon to teach; hence we
would call the attention TO some of the
studies he did teach which are not re,
CURED in district school; among the
number Is algebra. physiology. civsl gov
eminent and elocution. If there are any
studies which he refused to teach. we be-
lieve 1t was because he thought it for the
best interest OF the school that they were
not taken up. One reason and very
important resson--which would be, want
OF time, as the district school teacher can
only devote about one-hslf the time te a
recitation that the teacher in graded
school can. there being about twice ss
many Rotations 10 the district school;
hence all additional studio that are taken
In Is depriving the remainder of the
school of that much time.
Another reason as is remarked-''don't
cross the bridge until you get to it,
scholars should be prepared to take up
the higher studies before they neglect the
common branches for this purpose. The
worthy CORES pondent also informs US
that hr. S. acknowledged bis inability to
teach the school, We understand that
his being incapable OF teaching the school
WAS not mentioned We would advise
your correspondent to investigate more
thoroughly in the future before he as
sails one whose reputation should re-
main uusullied. A CITIZEN.