The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-12-26

n COTuldl welcome is cXUenQeu ana 10 tnOSe
who cannot sacrifice the time we say have
charity, remembering the words Of one who
knew how to sympathize when he said ats
very good rule in all things i'm life, i'm
judging a teacher or brother not to look at
the question alone on one side but always
turn to the other. We are apt to be selfish
in all our views in this jOstling, head-long
race. Then before we judge too harshly,
my friends, lets put ourselves in their
place." DANIEI. r. BENTON.
How CAN THE SCHOOL PATRONS BE IN
TEREsTED IN SCHOOL WORK?
By ID. G. COOPER.
Prof. Austin George of the State Normal
school not many years ago said: The Uni
versity faculty will take care of the Univers-
ity. the Normal school faculty will take care
of the Normal school, but who will take
care of the common school?
Is not the common school, practically the
farmers school? Is it not the only school
available for the great majority of the farm
ers' children?
Seeing then, brother farmers, that your
children are dependent upon the common
school for an education, you must realize
that the better you can make the common
schools the better will your children be
educated and the higher positions will they
be able to fill in their mature man and
womanhood.
On the other hand, your indifference will
result in unsatisfactory services, your chill
dren will be poorly educated and conse-
quently untitled for life's important duties.
These things are essential for the success of
the schOOl-the interest of the pupils, the
interest of the teacher and the interest of
patrons.
The pupil will not be interested in his
studies unless the teacher Is interested; and
but few teachers are able to retain interest
in the work If the patrons have no regard
or care as to how the work is done; there
fore the success of the school lies largely
with the patrons. Perhaps the worst
obstacle the ambitious teacher has TO con-
tend with is the indifference of the patrons
of his school,
Doubtless the question has many times
presented itself to the earnest teacher what
can do to excite a greater interest in the
patrons of my school?
believe many teachers make q mistake
in holding themselves entirely apart from
the patrons of the school. Your influence
and power of usefulness will be greatly in
creased if you become acquainted with the
patrons and mothers Of the childien under
your charge. You will find that their chill
dren will take greater interest in you and
in the school, and it will take more than a
slight disturbance to lose you the confidence
| thus acquired. Invite patrons to visit your
| school. 1t is too often the case that they
are remiss in their duty in this respect.
Few are as familiar as they might be with
| the text books of to-day and while they may
have interested themselves with regarding
education in general way as to a matter
of teachers, of books and Of tasks, they have
given little thought TO the teaching power
of the school house itself.
believe the teacher can double his in.
fimence and power by making the school
room pleasant and attractive. One Of the
pleasant recollections of my boyhood was 9
winter term in country school. The old
school building with its rude seats. high
desks and dingy walls had little attraction
for the boy of twelve. Two weeks from
the beginning of the term the teacher. will
the help of the older pupils, had trimmed
the old school room with evergreens anC
hung upon its bare walls small pictures
and over in one corner looking glass will
comb and brush attached. What different
aspect the old school room presented; ant
how each little fellow enjoyed relating oI
his return from school what the new teach
er was doing. When we were well startc,
in our usual studies, our parents were In
vited to visit the school on the afternoon q
a certain day, and think they all came
at least the mothers did, but no variation
from the regular program was made on tn,
cOmpany's account. Every few weeks tn,
invitation was repeated; by these efforts OF
the part of the teacher the interest wa
maintained until the end of the term.
only remains to add that we had popular
teacher and very successful school,.
The teacher should consider IL a part o
his duty whenever he enters n district {,
excite a deeper interest there, among tn,
patrons of the school, than they have eve
before felt believe 1t is possible for ever,
teacher to increase the interest of tn,
patrons of his or her school. Get you
pupils interested, then by invitation hav'
their parents visit the school. Show then
that you are interested In tlfe advancement
the elevation, the education of their chil
dren, and my word for it, you will have no
only the wished for interest, but the regar'
and cooperation of every patron of you
school.
School patrons, would commend to yol
the school teacher who cares f,,r the health
the manners and the morals of your chill
dren, quite as much as for text books
tasks and for accuracy In recitations. as
you to help her when she tries to make he
school room place of neatness and bright
ness with flowers, pictures, window an
wall hangings and whatever else may Civ
a child ideas of taste, Of purity, Of restfu
ness and which will Gil his soul with In
ages and memories that will go with hiI
| t., tl,n I..f