The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1892-01-08
TnE COUNTRY TEACHER.

Tie standard by which the teacher is
too often measured Ia 30 generally erron-
eous that IL seems almost impossible
that even tho teacher himself can have
ohe proper conception Of his profession.
The usual verdict IL based upon how
the pupils like or dislike the teacher.
This evil has its origin In the same
source as 30 many others that seem be
Sond remedy, viz; A failure on the part
Of parents 10 cooperate with and, II you
please, sympathize with the teacher.
Then, too, changes In the country
schools are much too frequent, thereby
making IL almost impossible that the
teacher be measured by the true stand
ard--the quality and quantity Of work
done In the school room. This does not
mean the amount oi work the teacher
does for the pupil, but the amount hich
| lac can be induced to do for himself. In
no single particular are We 10 apt TO
make mistake as here. we talk Of
The Pouring-in Process" such thing
| Is impossible.
Talking IL not teaching. Reciting
lesson that has previously been assigned
10 n class IL no part oi true teachers
work.
The real teacher cndeavors In every
way 10 direct, insplre, and encourage the
pupil IN original investigation, In some
thing that leads 10 thought.
DO not get the idea that collecting
facts IL tie principal object or aim Of
education for many oi them will be Of
| little or no use In future life work.
Long ago was the idea put forth that
knowledge ID power"
Sometimes, OF course this has been
questioned.
/ This IL true. not because there 10
strength in knowledge, but because the
mind Is developed, aud 50 power IN
gained In ita requirement.
The Hrst step should be 10 inieres, the
child.
Make them hungry for something and
then show them where 10 pitch.
Teachers in the country are too apt 10
think that their work IL Of an inferior
kind that their facilities for improv-
ment are so limited 1t Is useless for them
to attempt improvement Mt all
This IL wrong. The teacher in the
country school has an enYiable position.
Yes. Mister. M enyiable position.
lie can and should make himself
felt In score Of ways from the school
house 10 the rcmotest bounds OF his dis
trict, or even further. Ills influence in
tho community Is great, hence his
opportunity for good is equally so.
Let your work begin at the school
house. Show them how TO meet
obstacles hy meeting them yourself.
Expensive apparatus and splendid
equipments are uuessentiai.
ingenuity aud perseverance, with .
tfiflilg expense upon the part Of the
teacher will soon Gil many "empty,
vacant voids" aud write victory above u
yawning chasm. You can construct
reading charts. maps, etc. which in
many particulars you viii ilnd prefer
able to some Of the (spiendid9l patents.
In this way you can equip yourself
with all the necessaries from simple
arl,hmetieai frames TO philosophical ap'
paratus.
. DO not forget 10 supply yourself with
picture cards and other themes for the
smaller children TO busy themselves with
Prepare for yourself scrap books Of the
different kinds Of animals, birds, flowers
trees. houses and other objects viii
which the children are familiar.
1 Il is also well TO have n box Of loost
picture cards which can be distributed
amoung the different pupils. All o
these will serve 10 interest the littl'
folks. and will furnish them witt
material for language work in man,
forms. bcsidea containing within them
: selves no small education.
: Another book should contain pieturei
OF historical events, portraits Of grea
men, and 30 forth.
The children in the rural districts liv,
in broad world.
Let us try TO help them extend thei
horizon and become interested in tn,
!. Thousand and one wonderful things will
which they are surrounded.
In this article have mentioned onlI
. few OF the ways In which think on
y work can be bettered.
There are many others arising con
o stantly.
!. II this proves Of the least value, maj
j attempt something in regard to our dut,
{ as teachers OF morals and manners.
= Let me beg you TO permit a sligh
o depression, while / urge upon you tn,
o great importance Of your attending tht
= different local teachers meetings.
No matter how much you know, they
will do you good.
Let there be q general interest in thes'
local meetings and the aggregate effect
are sure to produce new general in
1 terest which will be substantially excel
o lent. w. FRANCIS CnAeE.
D LEBANON, Jan. 2