The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1895-04-20
A VOICE FROM AATCHIIO.
CHES.
Loekport, La

The following is a letter on the
question of Teachers Examinations,
published in the Natchitoches Enter
prise of IA recent date. 1t seems that
they are having some difficulty III
disp0sing of that question u there.
but we think that wherever the ques-
ton is agitated it usually results in
favor of examinations. 1t seems to us
that the remarks made by the cores
pondent of the Enterprise are as ap.
plicable TO the situation in Lafourche
parish as in Natchitoches. hence we
publish it tor the benefit OF the read
ers of the Educational Colnmn. ,
="The controversy betwe n the two
teachers in regard to the recent action
of our Parish School Board arousts NY
interest to such an extent that I wish
to express my views on the sGhjcct.
1t the laws of onr fair State can uo
81. interpreted as to Justify the action,
| believe a yearly examination of the
teachers would be a good thing ton
our Parish, and indeed for the whole
State.
Of all professions, that of the teach
er needs most to keep abreast of She
times. Upon the teachers depends the
future welfare of our nation, and they
should be kept in perfect readiness tn
fulfill the duties and responsibilities
that devolve upon them. knowledge.
culture of body, mind aud soul should
be kept fresh in them. SO that thu
young appetites they feed may not
become dull and perhaps destroyed by
having cold and tasteless food set be
fore them.
The true teacher keeps bright and
enthusiastic IN all studies lie or she
deals with in the school room. IN or.
der to serve the knowledge hot to the
cage" children. Moie than this he u,
she is constantly reaching out into
broader iields,-ever pEfsuins IA higher
and still Il higher course of leading or
study, at the same time Keeping ia
miliar with current history.
To such a teacher the examination
ceases 10 be a telrar. On the other
hand it is regarded as privilege that
protects from the ravasing imposi-
tons of the wonid-h be teachers. who
are Il cons d II disgrace TO the profes-
sion.
Progress is the WatcIlword and the
teacher VIII" does not progress must
step down and II Il make O 70,
tilnse who are looking forward and
striving fut Il higher and nobler stan
dard ct life.
But there are disadvantages in the
yearly examinations. All of the teach
ers do not live near N~atclitcches and
many have no friends there to invite
them to spend Il night OF two with
them during the examination. Few
teachers a take tie first grade ex-
animation within the few hours be-
tween the arrival and departure ofthe
daily train. That. necessitates a ho-
tel bill, besides the dollar paid for a
certificate and | can testify that the
average teacher Ira, little spare
money.
Again, I can see little or no advan-
tage in being examined year after year
IN the amc studies. Once every three
or four years Is sufficient to keep any
one from growing rusty.
Nevertheless, if the yearly exanina-
ton is a settled fact, why not get the
very best good from it by having the
certificates graded somewhat after the
following manner compel the third
grade teacher to take the second grade
examination next GEAR or step out of
the profession. In the same way,
compel the second grade to go up to
the first, and the first to so up still
higher. In this way the standard
would soon he raised to the highest,
and our parish would be blessed with "a
fine company o~fteachefs.
Fellow teachers, | appeal to you.
We can get just what we demand.
Let us not drop tins subject; but
keep it going till our local school sys-
TEN is as good rs the best, then pass
the good impulse on to our sister par
islies until the State Of Louisiana shall
in the front ranks Oh the ed uca-
tional line, and be the pride of the
Sunny Soutll.
4 WOED 70 THE TEACHERS