The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1892-04-14
Common School Teachers

most or the ScnOOlS IN the county
have opened for the spring and
summer term. Some of the older
teachers are to be found taking up the
work where they laid it down in the
fall. This is wise; for there is not
much progress made where a new
order of things exists every three
months. AS with the rolling stone,so
with the district which is always
changing, there is very little head way
made. Teachers, try to do your work
SO we'll that both pupils and parents
will be eager to welcome you back
again at an increase of salary. Hope
the older teachers will make reso-
buttons pointing to better work than
heretofore, and that younger ones will
not be behind in their efforts. Strive
to make your school second to none.
Resolve to succeed and half the
battle is won. While you endeavor
to awaken thought in those under
your charge, point out the way of
truth and morality. The successful
teacher is the one who is capable of
arousing and turning tousefulness all
that is best in our natures and
forming the beginning of that
character which is to develop into the
good and noble citizen of the future.
I would like to find a greater effort to
improve than there is with a certain
class. Is it right to come term after
term and demand a third Grade
Certificate? Those who are not
willing to take the time, and those
who are not willing to expend the
necessary energy in trying to improve
ought to step ought and make room
for others who have the necessary
ambition. There are FIVE or six
teachers in this county who are
striving to educate themselves
further, at great personal sacrifice
and I truly hope they will meet with
due reward. We must continue
diligently to improve or fall behind.
To stand still means to retrograde.
The days of the third grade certifi-
cate are numbered, in Minnesota it
will soon belong to the past. A word
to the wise is sufficient. Those who
put off the evil day must blame only
themselves. Iftrustees would require
a higher grade of scholarship teachers
would have to study in order to get
in rank at all. It would be we'll in
order to gain best results that
teachers should not go into a district
against the wishes of a majority of
the people who comprise that district.
If parents are antagonistic, children
are very shrewed and readily take the
cue from their elders. Prejudices are
formed which will take more than
one term to eradicate, and meanwhile
much valuable time is lost to the
pupil and the teachers reputation.
runs chance of being spoiled.
Do not give prizes to individual
pupils. 1t engenders a spirit of
jealousy and ill-feeling which is often
carried into the homes and taken
up by the elders; besides it is not
always the bright scholar who makes
the most progress according to
ability and opportunity. Neither is
it a good incentive to study; if you
will read Page on teaching you will
see some very good reasons given for
the stand taken.
The Summer Training School at
Morris is now an assured fact. I
have refrained from mentioning it
until all was settled and preliminaries
arranged. It will commence on
Wednesday July 9Th, and will con-
tinue four weeks, six days in each
week.
There will be excellent instructors
furnished by the state and every
thing done to make it profitable for
those who attend. I would feel
greatly obliged if all those who ex-
pect to be present, would individually
write me to that effect, because
shall have to report to the state
department the probable attendance.
You will come prepared to work,
bringing what text books you may
have. Do not come as a good many
do to the state institute, for day or
two, out of courtesy to the superin-
tendent, not seeing any benefit to be
derived because you have not followed
the plan of work. There is always
something helpful to everyone. It
was not very brilliant showing last
fall. Out of an enrolment of forty
eight teachers only eleven received
certificates for perfect attendance.
How can teachers expect their pupils
to be prompt and regular in their
habits when there Is not good
example placed before them.
Some rules in regard to the
training school will appear in another
issue. L. r. MACINTOSH,
| Don't forget the concert, at tho