The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1896-05-12
Valuable Paper Read by a Kauai
TeaCher.
MUST BE MUCH INTERESTED.
Need 1of Educational Books So small
Salaries should Not stand In the
Way-LoyaIty "a Virtue-Beneffts in
Attending Teachers Meetings, Etc.

Teachers was read before tn
Kauai Teachers Association b.
Mrs. Kelsey, first assistant "a
Hanamaulu:
The common use of the word ''enthu
siasm" is not a wise one. Too otter
we say that such person has grea
deal of enthusiasm when in reality
we mean that he is affected by a sud
den excitement.
We are coming to give the word &
spasmodic cast which is unworthy Of
it, If we think of it as a matter OF
principle, steadily maintained with a
continuous interest in that which the
principle represents, we shall come
nearer a true meaning of the word.
In teaching as in everything else a
man must employ his mind, if he would
be success. If he has not sufficient in
terest in his work to keep him in the
way of progress he would do the schools
a service by retiring. Not only should
he keep glowing in himself vital in
terest in his work and his pupils, but
it is his business to inspire in the latter
a corresponding interest. Mere imita-
ton lacks life.
Not long since l asked a Seattle teach
er, who has been ten years in the work,
if she did not enjoy watching for pro-
gress and development in her pupils.
oh" said she, Il never think of that.
l work for the money that it is in it.
In a country where so many de-
mands are made upon teacher, such
an answer might simply mean, Il am
utterly weary" but in this land of
short school hours, light requirements
and generous holidays, it would repre-
sent lazy, unprincipled selfishness.
We are so isolated from external in
fiuences of an educational nature that
we need to maintain a concientiouSly
high standard of excellence for our
selves. To gain these suggestions, two
methods are open to us. First, the
study of educational books and periodi-
Gals Secondly, attendance upon the
teachers meetings and conventions. In
regard to the first, the obstacle lying
foremost in the path of some of us is
expense. Books are expensive of them
selves and the cost of getting them
here, even the cost of sending the
money to pay for them is not slight.
In spite then of our small salaries |
believe that it is economy for every
teacher to take regularly two or three
educational periodicals, handboOks on
methods of government, of teaching, of
moral influences and vital growth and
development of pupils, should be &C
cumulated gradually, and studied care
fully. Good sense and good judgment
are necessary in the adoption of new
methods. Adjustment to conditions
should be thought out carefully and
preparation of ourselves made thor
oughIy, or the work will end in one
til,
foundation on which to rest. Spurts
of this sort are as injurious to the
school as a careless continuance in one
groove.
Many projects which may be carried
into effect in England or America with
much profit are worse than useless
here. Intelligent comparisons OF con-
ditions should be made in adopting |
new methods. We should study the |
present and probable future of our pu-
pills, and here more than in most coun-
tries the question of utility needs con-
SideratiOn. So short the time at school,
so inert the intellects of our pupils, it
is worse than useless to lumber up our
daily programs with essentials.
The most we can do is to keep inform
ed as to the best methods of teaching
those things that must be taught. Aids
of all kinds should be brought into
requisition as much as possible. If one
intends to continue teaching, they are
the best possible investments.
The second method of gaining help
from outsiders is attendance at teach
ers' meetings and conventions. 1t has
long been acknowledged that a teacher
can do much more effective work if as
ISOLATED with other teachers in fire. ,
q0ent conference. Especially here,
where our difficulties are so similar and
our limitations so narrow, do we need
TO get all possible inspiration and en-
from mutual interchange
of thought, plan and method of work.
What was my surprise last year to hear ,
the secretary announce the absence of :
nearly half the members of this associ-
ationi
Every one Of us needs to be present,
not only, bat actively, present, at every
one of our meetings. Our ideas need a
overhauling, shaking up and
airing at least once a year, to keep them
from "rigor norris" Then the majority
Of us need the sociability incident to
these meetings. We cannot afford to be
hermit crabs, shutting out all contact
with others. No mortal can live heal
Lhful, fully developed life who denies
himself the companionship of his fell
ow mortals
Loyalty to ones calling is a virtue, {
and like all other virtues, may be car
led to an excess so great as to become
positive wrong. AS, for instance,
hose structures laid upon members of
rades unions which are harmful to the
nen themselves and work serious in
ury to the public. While the original (
ntent of the trades unions is a noble \
ne. these limitations are extreme. So.
7hile | believe that to limited extent
re should think of and study for the