The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1891-02-13
Educational Department.
Edited by Supt. l. r. PoT-rR.
what Teachers shouId Read.
By MAY GRIFFIN.


Edited by Supt. l. r. Por-ER.
what Teachers should Read.
By MAY GRIFFIN.
This is a practical question. Itcomes
to every teacher with peculiar force. It
is appliable to teachers of all grades.
No one is exempt. Tho universal COM
plant of teachers. the world over. is poor.
pay aud d lack Of appreciation. How
eau this condition be changed for the
better? By what means can teachers
demand a%nd:obtain better salleries?
1t has become a common expression
that teaching is a profession, that this is
an age OF progress, in this particular
field Of labor. that it now requires special
adaptation, and special training to teach
a successful school.
Grant the truth Of these statements
and what follows? Plainly multiplied
responsibilities and higher qualifications
than ever before. In the good old days
of the past when anyone could and did
keep school, little preparation, was
necessary. Indeed in many instances
the stock in trade was surprisingly
small. But, as In all the varied avenues
into which thought and energy have
entered, a few great minds have explored
the dark regions. These were not cons
tent to plod on In the old w%ell-beaten,
uDscientiic paths. Keen sighted, prac-
tical men exposed the sham. They saw
a deep meaning in the term teacher. He
must be qualified for his work. Prepara-
ton, as suggested to their minis, involved.
study and at least a general understand
ing OF the human mind. The child was
studied. Out of this study systematic
plans were evolved. This required time,
patient research, untiring energy. but
greatest Of all the practical application
the results Of this labor called fol-. an ex-
erclse Of moral heroism necessary to con-
front the tide of opposition. All honor to
theleaders Of educational progress. They
should be ranked high amoug the worlds
b%enefactors. They are the pioneers Of ad-
vancement, and tho heralds OF civiliza-
tion. Happy, thrice happy, should we
be, were we able to commence with them
face to face. And yet we need not seek
in vain for inspiration from them. The
great majority being dead, yet speak, and
we, as teachers, afSsrecreant to our trust
ii we close our ears to their voices or re-
fuse to drink at the fountains opened by
them.
Teachers are too often satisfied with
their attachments when they have reached
the grade Of qualification required by
law. The proficiency Of the teacher, as
measured by the examination test is of
the smallest and most contemplate kink,
The teacher who possesses a second or
third grade certificate, or a certificate of
any grade, holds it up as a fertilization,
and as an evidence of teaching ability.
and does not seek to advance by contin-
ual study, cannot hope to succeed, and
should a board Of education persist in re.
eiecting such, the prayers Of a united and
intelligent community should ascend
that his stay on earth might be brief,
that he might soon hear the summons lit
is enough" l have no patience or sym
pathy with the pharisaical teacher. We
hear much complaint from teachers that
they are SO often placed upon the exam
iner's rack, while n test is sufficient in
all other professions. When the young,
man who has been permitted to practice
law in our courts is contented with his
stock OF knowledge, and does not seek
improvement by hard study, the moment
this condition becomes known to his
clients, that moment he seals his own
death warrant as q successful lawyer.
When teachers give evidence by the inn
proved condition OF their school. that
they are steadily improving, show that
they are students and therefore a model
to those under their immediate charge,
they should never be re-examined. As
long as the desire to know is limited to
the lowest test, SO long must a teacher
be willing to submit to the periodical
test and should be content with wages
corresponding with their intellectual at
tainments.
The world is moving in educational
circles. and the teacher, who does not,
by careful study, progress, will soon be
eclipsed by others more worthy. Men
who are successful in law, medicine, or
scientific investigation of any kind. are
progressive. Let it be known that a
physician has ceased to study, and how
soon would an intelligent community
discard him. What would we lady
teachers think of cur dressmakers did
she not endeavor to keep mp with the
times, not only BY studying fashion
plates, but by frequent visits to the
%centers Of fashion. for Improvement. Or
what would you think Of the teacher
who was a constant reader of Harper's
Basar, or of the D%elineator, and neither
read an educational paper or owned a
single book on the science of pedagogical
l am NOT dealing with fancy, but facts.
The library Of the successful physician
and the great majority of his reading
are along the line Of his profession. The
same is true Of the lawyer and the
clergyman. Why should the teacher be
an exception2 ~
This is an age Of progressive ideas.
and the progressive teacher catches the
thought of the times and enters with
enthusiasm into the spirit Of the
improvements that prevade educational
circles. and applies the experience OF
successful teachers to his own sphere Of
duty. The result is success, and this
means that his services will be in
demand. With III colleges. Normal
schools, high schools. institutes and
educational literature. how can a teacher
"a trainer OF minds-One supposed to
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