The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1895-03-28
SOME EXCELLENT ADVICE.

The letter of Superintendent Irwin,
recently issued to the teachers of Oregon,
is full of practical suggestions. 1t shows
his familiarity with the needs of the
and his hints denote long exper-
ience in educational work and also what
methods are best TO pursue i'll order to
attain the results. In his circular letter
Mr.. Irwin forcibly presents the thought
that those engaged in the work of teach
ing are not mere wage earuers, their
calling being one of the grandest and
most ennobling of professions. They
ought not to content themselves with
the idea, that because they can pass
satisfactory examination there is no
necessity for advancement. Higher GER
tifcates and higher grades of work must
be gained by higher attainments. The
frequent association of teachers is urged
as means of acquiring new ideas. At
tendance of and preparation for county
institute work is not only a legal neces-
sity, but it is deemed a much needed
help to greater efficiency.
The Benton County Teachers Associ-
alton organized last fall had for its object
the carrying on of work similar to that
of the teachers institute. The last meet
ing, however, was poorly attended.
Only few of the teachers of Corvallis
were present. There ought to be no
excuse on their part They live i'll ssclose
proximity to the building wherein was
held the exercises. The day was pleas
ant, consequently their failure to attend
could not be laid to the inclemency of
the weather. A program of the exer-
cises had been published in the local
papers, so that all might know when and
where the association would meet. Yet
lettle interest ives manifested i'll the
work which had been 1naugurated to
advance the interests of those engaged i'll
educational affairs. On this line Mr.. r.
win says something that should be re-
meinbered by those who neglect their
opportunities, which will appeal especi-
ally to many of the teachers in Benton
county: "Be diligent to qualify your
selves for success in your work. If when
you shut your school house door when
the active days work is done, you shut
| therein all your care and anxiety for
your school, you will be failure. Give
much of your time out of your school in
dilligent preparation for more efficiently
doing the work of the coming day"
Another thought of especial interest to
the teacher who wishes to succeed is
stated by Mr.. Irwin as follows: eff you
are III fact professional teacher you
must expect progress. Our law requires
| a graduation from the lower to the higher.
That certificate you now how (unless you
have reached the top, must give place
to higher That higher must be gained
by higher attainments Those attain.
rnents are only reached by diligent study.
Do not think that having passed one ex
animation you can readily pass another.
Even in the same branches closer in
spection of your ability is given, and q
higher grade must be made. The grades
of decades ago should not be the grade:
of today, nor the grades ofstoday lie the
grades of the future. The standard O
teaching must be elevated, and to do thi:
the teacher must be progressive in study
Superintendent Irwin is unquestionablJ
the right man in the right place. He i:
an able and scholarly gentleman, who
seems to fully realize the importance O.
the Office he fills, and who is industri
ously working for the advancement o
4 education in Oregon that our public
schools may attain the highest possible
standard Of excellence. His public utter
ances are so pregnant with truths and SC
full of sound advice that they will un
doubtedly have the effect of heaping
Goals of fire upon the heads of the schoo
teachers who worked SO industriously
during the last campaign for his defeat
| Though they may now realize their mis-
take, the prominent leaders in the con
temptible movement will never be able
to make amends for the many unkinc
and even untruthful statements which
they circulated to injure his candidacy
The public, however, fully appreciate
his efforts and recognizes in him the
qualities necessary to enable him to carry
on the grand work successfully.