Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1892-05-20
SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS

PCiOOlSD <tN ~
without good teachers there canno
be good schools; and we have as little
right to expect good teachers, without
adopting means to prepare them, as We
have to expect beautiful gardens and
cultivated fields to spring up sponta.
neously in the wilderness" said
Horace Mann in 1912. The wonderful
improvement made in our public school
system during the past few years has
been largely due to the special courses
of training which the most successful
teachers have taken TO fit themselves
for their work. Every year teaching
comes to be regarded more and more as
profession, as it properly is, and less
as mere temporary expedient for gen.
teel employment, TO be abandoned
when some apparently desirable
matrimonial opportunity presents
itself, or the teacher, if a gentleman,
has saved enough money to enable him
to take a course in some law or medi-
cal college or school of theology. We
demand trained teachers for our kim
dergartens and primaries and should
require them also for the intermediate
and higher grades. Especially should
familiarity with the most advanced
methods, vigor of mind, individuality,
and aptitude for securing cooperation
and concentration among teachers be
required in the instructor or superin-
tendent entrusted with the general
work of supervision i'm schools where
various departments are maintained.
We trust that the board of school trus-
tees of this district win not consider a
sugl estion that these matters should
be taken into consideration in the cleo
ton of teachers for the ensuing year as
being tn any sense an Interference with
their prerogatiyes. Undoubtedly many
applications for positions have been
submitted for their consideration. and
certainly it cannot be assumed that
all the applicants possess equal merits.
Their endorsements should be scanned
closely. a recommendation from a
person well qualified to determine
what constitutes good teacher is of
far greater value than high enconiums
from personal friend of All applicant
who cannot reasonably be considered
a competent judge of teachers quail
fications.
1t Is announced that the board have
determined to combine, during the
next school year, the position of super
intendent with that of principal of the
high school. Under the circumstances
the action is quite proper, though in
our opinion an assistant should be en-
gagged so as to give the principal some
time each day to visit other depart
ments and supervise the work. Upon
one point We take issue with the board:
For such service as they and the peo-
pie generally have a right to expect
from the head Of the schools the salary
attached to the position under the new
arrangement is too small. The incnm-
bent should be the possessor of consid-
erably more than ordinary pedagogic
attainments. He should be a man Of
fine culture and broad views, active,
energetic, progressive - in short a
leader, rather than a follower--a man
who viii exert a beneficial influence
upon the immunity outside of the
school rooms, as well as upon the chill
dren and youth within them. For the
faithful services Of such a man the
compensation established isnot enough
The HERALD believes in requiring
high standard in teachers of all grades
and In paying well for their work.