Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1896-02-01
The CountrY Teacher.

hapS by enumerating some of the dis
advantages with which she must con-
tend we can better suggest some plans
which might make her lot more pleas
ant and her work more efficient.
The country teacher is obliged TO
scatter her forces. No specializing
here. She must needs understand the
human nature of pupils from > to ~
years of age. She teaches all the COM
non branches and to all grades from
the beginning. primary TO the advanc-
ed grammar grade. The recitation
period must be short, that all classes
may he heard. She is limited in time,
So that supervision of work at the
seats is practically impossible. And
what an important part OF ones edu-
cation is the aid II receives while pre-
pairing a lesson, How much more could
our pupils do if they could only have
more assistance in how 10 study.
II some of the pupils are not supplied
with pencils. states. or necessary books.
the teacher must change her plans Tor
q few days until the parents 80 to town.
'V4lh tilu i"t WI Id th'
so and so is needed. Pa says he is go
ing % town in n few days and he will
get these things. But when pa does
20 "a town he is SO much more inter
ested in the price of hogs or potatoes.
or what not. thar he is in the progress
of the school. tina he forgets all about
the supplies the children need. and the
teacher must needs wait another fort
night for John and Mary 10 get their
hooks. Some hold that the teacher
should furnish pencils and paper for
the children of Indifferent parents. but
she can't afford il until she is paid
more; it isn't her business TO furnish
these things. anyway.
cold weather draws ON apace; the
s%tovcpipe needs cleaning. a window
light is broken, and there is no wood in
the yard What is to be done: Send
= note to the director? He is busy with
Ills farm work. The wind whistles
through the broken window. the stove
would smoke if n fire were built; and
So the pupils and teacher shiver until
the director gets time TO fix things.
What's his hurry? He gets nothing
for his services-the law forbids it.
What a law.
The teacher wants to attend n teach
er>' meeting. She has no way to go.
The people with whom she boards
think time too valuable to spend in
taking her. 1t is too far 10 walk: and
the poor girl is disappointed in her de-
sire to be progressive.
What about the country teachers
boarding place? Usually not more than
one family in the district will take
bGardeTS. 1t is often Il place very I'M
desirable in many respects. The teach
e. must study by the family table in
the room where games" and racket"
AM poor light and talks on household
economy and barnyardology are COM
mon. The teacher cannot retire to her
room and study; there is no stove there.
The price she can afford TO pay for
board will not supply such luxuries.
Sic tries 10 prepare her lessons for
the text day; wishes she might study
IA other lineS-do some Reading Circle
workout alas, her environment is
against her.
She cunt up her net earnings ut the
close ri the term, and finds that more
schooling and more books are out of
the questionable wage are SO low that
She has not enough money remaining
10 pa. for these things. She struggles
ON for two OF three terms. and CON
Guides that teaching school is not Just
the thing she thought it was. Another
takes her place. and so the changes are
out" md
''ThuS the multitudes go like the flower
and the weed,
And witlcr away to let others succeed:
Thus The multitudes come. even those
ave behold,
To repeat every tale that has we been
told"
Those who have never attended n
country school may be inclined to doubt
some of these statements: but those
of Us who make it a business to in
spcct these country schools see condi-
lions rs they really exist. and whereof
we speak we know. one matter shall
ncve forget. In one school / took
down the stovepipe and cleaned it. and
built a fire for the pupils. There is
rarely a cast similar to this, for direc-
TORS Ito much more than the patrons
give them credit for, as a rule. They
need more glory, less blame, and some
pay for what they do.
These conditions exist. What is be-
ing lone to better them? Not much.
except what the county superintend-
cnts do by way of arousing interest
during their visits to schools and in ed
ucational meetings they hold.
What can be done to remove the diff
cUlties? Perhaps the following would
help some:
Pay teachers for time spent in edu-
catiODal meetings.
Have free textbooks for all public
schools
Raise the standard for certificates SC
that boards will be justified In paying
teachers wareS sufficient IN enabIe