The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-08-31
SEATTLE. SATURDAY, AUG. 81.
THE TEACHER.

The nresence OF the teachers or the
state OF Washington during the past TWO
days has been felt. They have so many
friends and have made so many more on
This visit that. to the intellectual advant-
ages of the gathering. Is added pleasure IN
meeting them. From the lecture OF Pres
ident Jordan, of Stanford university. ana
ranging through the entire programme OF
professional discussions. there has ex-
tended very high plane of thought
The responsibility devolving upon the
teacher is a grave one: the knowledge
needed covers a wide field. He. and she,
must know what 10 teach the pupil, but
beyond that is the equally important fune-
ton of chow" 10 teach him. The subjects
OF primary, intermediary and advanced
courses are not more important than the
hest means of imparting knowledge of
them alike to the bright and the dull. the
quick and the niodding. the willing and the
stubborn. the industrious and the indolent.
and yet TO keep so equal a pace that
classes may follow in methodical order.
Rev. A. d Mayo. of Boston. who Is a
high authority on the subject of pedagogy.
has recently been delivering a course of
lectures on the teacher; and he relates
that when Ralph Waldo Emerson's
daughter asked her father what
branches" she ought TO pursue. he re-
piled: Find out who il the best teacher.
and study what he teaches" This is not
new doctrine. Each one OF MS carries
through life recolleetions OF one teacher
or one Professor who more than all. was
able TO clear the path for us by his sym
pathetic readiness or his peculiarly help
fui exposition. The same teacher does not
succeed equally well with all characters
OF pupils. bur the most successful teacher
Is tho one who studies and comprehends
the devious and divers ways In human
nature which lead 70 the human heart.
The students intellect Is not there. but
tho teachers way 10 IL Is.
The ranks Of tho teachers have given ND
20 American craftsmanship some brilliant
leaders. Passing up through many IA
NOUS men who in degree have stamped
the impress OF their individuality upcn the
nations record, We 20 high up with such
names as those of Andrew jackson. Presi-
dent Garfield. Webster. Everett, Seward
and James @. Blaine. The teacher for
tunately. IS not an active politician: and
he should bc secured IN his position above
the pretudices. jealouSios and selfshness
or politics. Tho teacher Is usually natri-
otc. and his patriotism VIII insure his be
Ing a good citizen; and good citizenship
calls fer some participation IN the debates
and duties " ordinarily cail politics.
These he should NJ; shlrk bur on the
other hand ne is 10 be commended for alb
staining from the intrirues which would
make of tho public school = shuttlecocly
Tor professional ofaee seekers.
Schlsms. isms and creeds should find no
place IN the public schools The religions
thought of the ending century IS active.
hut i; Is Sc; oaly foetaL Bright lights viii
break cut in the armament within another
few decades: bat the teachers path fus,
non IS a perllous one. on the one hand Is
the necessity for Keeping well within the
orthodox tines Of established authority ana
on the other are the temptations - lead
the pupil into tNe aiurinx fields OF opan.
:ng research. nr. Nave sses sor,sthine ~
tt+-r -At% httetA t-tc AEt4-fFk mast evolve 20
meet the greater demands az an .nrr..s-
tng rsptdity in thought. The most danger
Gus peril. he SAWS. that row threatens sl
our school keeping Is the exaliatlon Of the
mental training and informing Of the
mind with tAe whole circle OF science
literature and ar. the exaltation o,
scholarship ana skiIl above superior
manhood and woTnanhocd IN the teacher.
the rage fer expertisrn In some mar.
row range 81 culture. an exper,.
Ism whsch 50 often leaves the ex.
pert a Erownup child in character. lsns-
rant 81 men, skepSic IN religion. a pessi.
mist or crank N his social theories. O.
nervous. fretfil hesTtless woman. en-
summed BY an ambition for learning tia,
leaves her oSn higher SELF out o. tAe a.
count; person thai every wegl-con.
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