The Washington times., 1895-06-19
THROUGH OTHER EYES

For the public to infer that the word
county before teacher has a peculiar sig
nificance, suggestive OF school work in
ferior in nature, of ability either Indifferent
or which viii be forever dormant, is a
grave mistake and indicates lack Of in
formation in regard 10 the county teacher
and his work.
In the District of Columbia the county
teachers field of labor embraces all the
territory from Conduit road to Giesboro
Point a CiTCuitous route OF many miles
There were employed last year in this
territory ninety-three teachers, male and
female (forty-nine white, forty-four col
ored), with an enrolment OF 4 ,579 pupils
e. 376 white, 2 ,203 colOTed). The cost
of these schools for supervision and teach
ing was S67 ,026 Al twhite schools, $780,
9S2.47: colored schools, S26 .O43.94l
These figures tell us that the county is
not only netwOrk OF suburbs, or which
woods and bad roads are great part, but
thatthere are schcolhouses, school children,
and school teachers larger in number than
the average citizen would imagine.
The teacher in the county has large
field for usefulness, an excellent oppor-
tunity to develop his best resources as
teacher and his power to hold the affec-
tions of parent and pupil. His work in
his particular locality quite frequently
covers a mile or two, using the school
building as the center OF the circle
The grades of his room are two, three,
or four and sometimes five OF six. This
last fact l. the test or his ability TO
| bring out the best results from his pupils
under circumstances at times discouragfng
andquite often from minds rendered sluggish
by depressing environments.
The power to arouse, TO impart, 70 impress
in a way that VIII somewhat mitigate the
results of these depressing environments IS
not far removed from genius Yet II, az
has been said. genius is hard work ana
[ cumulative effort then there are IN our
I county schools many who deserve that term
\ in connection with their profession
| Our county teacher must not only manage
I many grades but must Introduce IN them
/ the most modern methods of teaching. Hls
/ work is subject TO the same test as the WORK
/ in the city schools; due allowance being
/ made OF course for the quantity OF the wOFk,
/ but never for the quality OF IT,
! This requisite keeps him alive and. while
/ for the sake OF distinction and convenience
/ he is known as a county teacher, De II uI-
derstood that it is not synonymous with
| county" teacher as used IN the sense OF
| inferiority.
There ar. times when the accommodations
+ OF the county schools are OF poor character;
there are times when the roads leading 10
the schools are OF a disgTaceful nature;
there are times when the teachers are
( forced TO walk long distances from the
| suburban railroads and car lines, get it Is
pratifving to note that the authorities
are making earnest efforts TO reduce these
hardships.
i Linked to the efforts of the authorities is
the great interest manifested by the CItl-
zpns' Associations, which are founh III
nearlvevery one ofouFsuburbs.
One of the greatest improvements OF the
asst few years, helpful to the county
teacher. is the introduction OF the electric
railways in the county.
The work OF the county school IS purely
characteristic. 1t has dual character
half rural and half urban. But 1t must De
| conceded that the conscientious teacner
who knows the joys and sorrows or county
teaching, who has mastered the art OF
| consolidating grade work. who mas re
/ duced to a minimum his difficulties ana
| obtained the maximum results. proves Det-
! for than apv other argument that ne Is
! teacher deserving the highest praise IN
no other branch of our public school sys-
tom is there a better chance to come IN
contact with the parent. aad in no other
branch is there such opportunity lot
training as diseipliDarian. for developing
mower for greater usefulness IN larger
fields as in our county schools
Nav our fair city continue to grow
stretching in every direction until there
will be the same ACCOMMODATIONS Iof dii'
city and county, one gTadefo eacn tedCIleI /:
| and one common hope OF all citizens OF
this Iand-to have here in this city the
ideal public school