Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1891-08-21

z#M 2..T =
We M nat 70 pesslmistic q TO think thas our |
supcr,nteudcnts arv not generally soOd mel, tor |
their places, They are, and many II them |
would prefer NOT 20 have to resort TO politics to
obtain m educational once. We mo mot at. |
txckine the officers, but the system. Good men |
In these positions win do much to make teach.
irg q profession. bad ones will rondertt al
most impossible to make II 20. These two Of
nces are the main points OF contact between
the schools and politics, but the city superin-
tendent and principal are sometimes summed
up from q political standpoint by the ward poii.
ticians. Even the country teacher Ii often sub
jected to . similar injustice. The result Is to
make the tenure OF ONCE insecure and drive
many from the occupation OF teaching who
would remain In the work aud do good SER
vice but for this ct,-indeed, become profess
ional teachers. Religious sectarianis,n also
sometimes works to the injury Of the teacher.
Sect should not enter Into consideration. II
teacher are to be measured by these things
rather than as teachers, we can hardly expect
many to remain In the work and in one place
long enough to become truly professional. This
brings us to the consideration OF what the
kCdCAsCI Cnu w w btWoIst lCS0 sCUuCtbClCDs hO
must avoid meddling extensively either with
Tarty or sectarian affairs. He mustbe broader
than . sect or party SO that he can sec the good
In al, nor should he make . practice Of discuss
ing either Of these subjects. OF course. as Amer.
lean citizens, We have the right to. n 1t Is our
duty to have convictions on both subjects; and
we should let our views be known when called
on to do so In a proper way. But we should not
ho kNtnpAon no - x s,g kpIAlIv khA uNnA - n.,~
profession demands that we shall not be.
Another great difficulty that presents Itself
for consideration Is the fact that We have u
large number Of teachers who never intend to
become professional. Just as the quack doctor
makes sport OF the professional one, 30 these
teachers look down on any attempt to make our
calling . profession. II We can get tile teacher
to zee the need. teaching will be = profession
In our day. The teacher who believes tina 1t
will not be Is the greatest hinderance. We can
make . professional teacher OF the non-pro-
fcsslonal long before teaching becomes n pro
fessl0n II he intends to make instructing his
life work, because be can be interested In the
association, Institute, summer school etc. But
the person who IL using teaching as u means is
not easily interested in these gatherings. This
difnculty makes 1t necessary for the leading I'd
L uC0tVhS W CAet& e tiSsiUCHC 70 CtOWu Out tLis
element as fast as those who show themselve.
TO have the proper spirit come forward to fl
tho places. We have provisions looking II
this direction IN our new school law. in thu
.'rcading circle and In the encouragement
given It by our'sState Superintendent. Our new
school law. by restricting the time during which
a person may hold acOunty sertlfcate. or rather
the number he may hold, makes It necessary f0
/ III H.. A~c nl,o - ans thar An,~ 81 -. ~..n
ence in the state to hold u state certificate Of
diploma. This means to be,,proiessional teach
ers. Unfortunately. the time seems to be IA
distant when all Of our teachers will be person.
who have enjoyed the advantages OF u norma
school. This being true. our most immediat,
means Of a. forward movement, not excluding
the normal schools. are teachers meetings, as
sociations, county and state, Reading Circle,
the normal institute.and the summer school
BY these agencies. we can make many trul
professional teschers. pnt we eau never max
teach'nG traiy q profession tii we require ever,
teacher 10 ht'ia the state oipioma oased on
GOOD normal course VI oh y long ana successful
experience.
Ny teachers meetings., We refer 70 meeuhe
hcld IN tue towns anu cit'es' conducted py I'll
principal OF superintendent III charge. ines
shouiu never DC hes'cc'ou' DuS SHOULD 10 hei
eacn week. Inc work ina may De zone !
somewhat variea. questions felating 70 schoe
government a"as INSTRUCTION.. such As recess
examinations elscipi'he' promotions DOCKS 10
cn''dren 70 read etc. are OF greatest Importance
Next comes the very important subject OF III
discussion Oh the manner otpfesehtihs the var
GUS subjects IN class. Ihis ieaas 10 apoifsi'n
iauHy methoos ana 70 harhohizins the work
me various rooms. sacn work asthis can nc
, out make more sciehtihe teachefs- a thir
feature may De Introduced looking more direc
y toward improving teacners professionally
ihs1 - the stuuy anu discussion OF Dooks urea
ing Of some line OF sci.ool work. we think W
nave even these thrse hncs OIL work IN the o.
DER OF their importance. Inc last may well y
omitseo where there ~ teacners readihg vi
cic. BUT these n'eetihgs OF cottrse 10 NOT feac
beyond the Town or Wy 20 we must look 7
osnef i"eahs Aor eHo country teacner. AZ
county association seems to be 1liing this plac
1 ffnfiQ NQPf1ininO IN gPhnnI NNnrk mud tho faooha