Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-04-09

Total enrolled go. ....... $500. 521,
The following paragraphs contain some
of my views for the necessary steps to be
taken in order to place the schools of
Santa Fe ON par with those of eastern
| cities:
Good schools are based on two neoessi-
ties, a live public sentiment and quail
| fed, able corps of teachers. Public
spirit will be right If the teachers are of
the right kind.
Public approval and public money
should be extended only to schools con-
Quoted only by progressive, experienced
or professionally trained teachers. The
| school is no medium through which to
extend sentiment, contribute to charity
or pay political debts.
The duty of school directors is no
paltry one. Five hundred young minds
in this city appeal to you for the best
possible development A years work of
an incompetent teacher affects the mind
for life. You have sacred trust and
each pupil has right to hold you re-
sponsible for the conscientious discharge
Of your duty.
What teachers would I recommendS
Home talent, if 1t is qualified. Qualifica-
ticn does not mean ability to pass a set
examination, but it means a knowledge
Of the workings of the mind, of how to
instruct, in short, Of method. A pro-
gressive teacher cquires these by ex-
perience, but people of this day do not
choose to pay teachers to get experience
by practicing on their children. They
req uire teachers to get this knowledge at
normal schools, and as we have two of
these in this territory. Use them, if worthy,
if not, why pay taxes for their supportY
I am emphatic in the advocacy Of good
normal schools. A few years ago some
members of the New York state legisla-
ture became dissatisfied with paying so
much money for the support of normal
schools; committee was appointed to
Investigate these schools; they not only
sustained the schools, but recommended
the building of three more, which was
done, and to-day the state has eleven
normal schools, turning out some 1900
graduates each year. law was recently
passed making it impossible for a per-
son to draw public money for teaching
without having had certain experience or
professional training.
We have the body of q school syetem,
but we need the kindergarten at one end
and the high school atthe other. The in.
fluence OF high school permeates the
school system and the community.
The city is filled with yourg men and
women who ought to and would be in
school 1t there was proper high school,
but one teacher can not be superintsnd-
ent, teach all the grades above the sixth
and conduct high school.
This plan should help ont both kinder
garten and high school. It is possible to
unite the third and fourth grades, as the
number will not be extremely unwieldly.
kindergarten teacher could be en-
ployed instead, who could teach the kin
derGarten one-half day and assist in the
high school the remaining half. The
kindergarten. will become feeder to the
public echools.
However employ no one but thor
oughiy trained kindergarten teacher,
should be considered, and let me say that
the primary gradei is not the one to slight.
This grade needs teacher Of the finest
Judgment, tact and skill. As a rule east
ern cities pay primary teachers more
than the grammar grade teachers.
If the city erects more buildings
would suggest that large play ground
be furnished. Fun aud games are n
strong incentive to many pupils to at
tend school. Make school the most
| pleasant place on earth for the child and
you cant keep it away. Furthermore, the
building should face the south. When
facing the north the building shades its
own front and makes II cold and dreary.
Respectfully submitted,
n. n. BROpIE.
The report was accepted and ordered
f1lsd.