Arizona weekly citizen. [volume] (Tucson, Ariz) 1880-1901, 1896-09-19
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

in the United States, when they cease
their labor on earth, will leave no legacy
to their children, in the way OF money.
The competition is so keep; the etrug-
Gle for The maintenance OF families so
continuous; and the pay OF all classes OF
lbbor is so nearly eaten up 10y ibe e.
pense of living, that few are fo't"1ete
enough to Icy by even q few dollars Tor
q rainy day, much less nest egg for The
use of their children sitter they them
selves have left the words busy stage OF
action. There is q duty We owe our
children, though, and one which is easily
performed. Education has for ages been
recognized as the cornerstone and foun-
dation of civilization; as the stepping
stone to fame aud prosperity. So prom
inent is this fact that the most strenu-
Gus efforts are made in every communi-
ty in the United States to improve each
year, upon the methods OF instruction
heretofore in vogue in the puolic
schools. None but the most competent
tesohers will be employed. and to secure
certificates applicants must exhibit spe-
cisl characteristics demonstrating their
abilities &c instructors. The safeguard
OF the school room is strict examina-
ton into the quslif fcations Of those who
aspire to the responsibilities of laying
the life foundation for cur growing chill
dren.
Educational attsinments and morality
are paramount requisites in q teacher,
and, il he be wanting in either one, We
neglect our duty to our children when
we place them under his charge. Every
teacher employed in our schools should
be unsulliea in moral character. He
should be person whose life is ebso-
lutely above reproacb; one to whom
every parent can point ss q worthy ex-
ample to be followed by his children.
Better q teacher somewhat short oD
book learning than lacking in morality
The example of parents and teachers
upon children is one OF the most potent
influences which operates in the forma
sion of their characters. Children ma
turally look to their elders for precept
and practice, and consequently neither
parent nor tesceer Tan afford to hold
morality cheaply.
Nothing which can detrsct in the
slightest measure from the efficiency
and success OF our schools, LhoG.d ever
for an instant be permitted TO receive
consideration. Neither politics, religion
nor fsvoritism should have any place ip
the selection OF teachers or In the man.
seement af our schools. There should
be only one object in view, and that the
securing OF the very best talent obtain
able, regardless OF any extraneous cir
cumetances Wherever We fail in the
slightest measure, We ipjure our chill
dren and detract from their ultimate
success in life.
There is plenty of good educational
material at our disposal from which we
can select those fitted for teachers work.
Teschers, like poets. are born, not made.
The successful teacher is be who follows
the profession because he loves il; be-
cause nature has specially endowed him
with an irresistible love for the young
and their welfare; because he is possess
ed OF those peculiar traits which may
not be attained in training schoola-
which come only through the mysteri-
GUS workings of nature. Mercenary
seekers after "soft snaps" in the school
room should be promptly turned down
and made to know that they have mis-
taken their calling.
The present school year in Tucson
opens With promises Of success that are
gratifying indeed. Competent teachers
have been employed, and parents can
rest assured that the interests OF their
children will be zeslously guarded. We
look to the coming school year as one
which will be significantly remembered
as one of the most successful and sstis-
factory IN our school history.