Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-11-01
GREAT BENEFIT OF FREE BOOKS


Kont county-EsHssts Derived Fro1
thu systsn of Free Text ssoks--Mors
LissIai Salaries for Teachers.
EStor Gazette: It has been truly
said that the great forces in nature arc
silent and unobtrusive. The same is true
wish reference to the influences that 20 to
build up the character and intelligence of
a people. And just as the Importance of
such natural forces as light, heat and grayi-
tstion may be overlooked or forgotten
simply because they are silent. so are the
potent educational forces which are work
ing out FOR us higher and broader ma
tional type of civilization. often not APP
preciated by the great mass OF the busy,
enterprising people.
1t is because OF this fact that ask the
favor of q small part of yunr valuable
space, to call the attention Of our people
to what they may have failed TO observe
regarding our public schools. d
II was my pleasure on Friday week, in !;
company with Superintendent Tindal, to
visit three country schools, spending some
time ut each, III central Kent county.
These schools are known as Forrest
Lane" "Warren'sn and BLACK swamp"
taught, respectively, by Misses Belle Rice,
Maggie Tunnel and Maggie Holden.
| take il that these are fairly representa-
tive Of the average Delaware county public
school.
The earnest, progressive spirit of these
teachers was commendable; each seemed
to appreciate the true theory of teaching,
viz: the importation OF ideas and gen
eral development of all the faculties of her
pupils. In these schools the children are
being taught through the avenue of the
eye us well us that of the ear; they are
being taught to think for themselves and
to clDthe their thoughts in clear, correct
English; taught I'd use the reason, the
imagination. the observation and the
memory. From what observed in those
visits, conclude, and think it may be
fairly inferred, that the day Of hearing
lessons simply, has ended and that the
era Of teaching" has dawned.
During my experience as public school
teacher (from which profession retired
| seven years ago), much embarrassment
arose from the fact that the teacher then
| had no method of placing needed school
| books in the hands of the pupils except
| that of requesting parents or guardians to
| purchase the same; and in many cases,
| they being either unwilling or unable to
| procure the necessary books. the pupils
| could not be advanced as rapidly as their
| requirements warranted. | could there
| fore appreciate, as | observed them in
these schools, the benefits OF the wise and
beneticent law that places all school books
| in the hands of the children of this State
without money and without price, and
/ thus relieves the teachers of what was
once a source OF much annoyance and re-
greet.
But the spirit of Improvement and adj
vancement in public school work here
was shown not only in these things that l
have named; for | could not fail to observe
| that the school furniture and apparatus
were, think in every case, of the modern
| and approved kinds. They were all pro-
yided with patent desks, slate black boards.
charts for primary instruction in reading
and number work, globes and molding
boards for teaching proper conception OF
the exact formations of the earths sur
face, &c, in connection with geography.
| Large maps and some pictures adorn the
walls. and libraries and supplementary
reading matter are either already intro
duced, or are to be placed in each of these
schools ut an early date.
When it is Remembered that only 10 or Il
years ago a patent desk in country
school house was novel sight and that a
slate blackboard was almost unknown
therein, the surprise and qualification
which | felt at seeing these and many
other modern equipments in three CON
tiguous country schools, may well be
imagined.
But what is more important than mere
furniture or paraphernalia in school work
viz: the live, progressive teacher, was not
| wanting, nave alTeduy tOucneu upon
this in the beginning of this communities
ton, and will only add here that, to me
one of the most notable signs of the eff
cheney of these teachers (and | have nc
doubt such is the rule in this State) wa:
the fact that while the recitations of largel
pupils were progressing the smaller one:
generally the most FESTIVE class-wert
provided with ''seat work" and were a!
busily engaged at that time as were those
who were reciting to the teacher. Every
body was busy, and thus the great prob
lem of school government was made easy
The teacher who thus plans, and puts tn,
same into execution, demonstrates plainly
his or her fitness for the high and noblt
profession of an educator.
And now that | am outside of the teach
ers,, ranks, i beg to suggest-as the stand
ard of teaching is plainly advancing yea
by year i'll this State and as the self-sacri
ficing men and women who are devotin,
the best years of their lives to this mos
important calling, are rendering incalcnla
. BILE benefit, not only to their State. AM
their fellow-citizens, but also to the count
less generations that shall follow, and VIII
are receiving in many cases remuneration
: incommensurate with their worth-tha
! our legislators (some of whom may prob
ably read this article) make ample pro
vision for fully compromising our publ
school teachers. If this is done, the bes
talent will be attracted to this profession
and those who are now doing such goo
work in Gus schools will feel that they ar
not entirely forgotten or unappreciated b.
the people of the State whom they serve
EDMOND Z. HARDEsTY.
DOVER, Oct. 80, 1894.