Middletown transcript., 1897-02-06
OUR MOTTO.

Teachers ought to have high ideals before
them. Teachers to a certain extent are
leaders, and for that reason they should
continually keep in mind the thought, that
where there is no progress there is no educa-
ton.
Delaware has good schools and good
teachers, but she wants better. The men,
bers of the Round Table believe in pro-
gress, and am sure they approve of our
motto.
A good teacher is necessary to the sue
cess of any sch ool; but the teacher is only
one of several factors that enter into the
case. There must be, to begin with, good
school building. Those who expect chill
dren to have liking for the school room
must make it attractive. The effect of easy
desks, neat buildings, good ventilation and
well-lighted rooms cannot be over estima-
ted. They are essential to the child's health
and comfort.
Another thing of vital Importance to both
the teacher and the pupils is ample play
ground. School committees cannot afford
to be Indifferent in this matter. Children
must have room in which to grow. Moth
ing is more conducive to good morals
than large, well-kept play ground. Children
cannot be successfully trained and developed
in pen. am of the opinion that much
of the damage done to school property by
the children may be traced to their too mar
row limits. The boy, who has the privi-
lege..of kicking foot ball over a two-acre
lot, has no time for defacing doors and
windows with his pen-knife.
Next in Importance to good teacher is
an intelligent school committee, composed
of men who know their whole duty. A
school without such committee will suffer.
Yet in many cases, school commissioners
seem to think that they have but one duty
to perform, namely, the employing of the
teacher who will teach for the least money.
However, the hiring Of teacher is only
reminder to the good commissioner that be
has an extra care. one that will last the
greater part Of the year.
If he fails to show an interest in the
teacher, the pupils and the school in gen.
eral, he proves himself to be untitled for
the place.
The good commissioner will always stand
by the teacher he has employed. Even
when she has erred in judgment, he will
protect her from unkind patrons. He will
never criticise her publicly. He advises her
in private, and by his kind ADVICE drives
away heartaches and sleepless nights.
School commissioners. of Delaware, are
you giving your teachers your strong sup
port?
Then, too. the good commissioner looks |
after the school building as he does his own |
house. Everything is kept in repair. He |
visits the school, and inquiries of the teacher |
Il anything is wanted. Next to the good |
teacher, such comm issioner is the most |
important in the management of success
ful school. His value to the school district |
cannot be estimated.
If this State wants better schools and bet
er teachers, she must pay better salaries.
n Delaware the average salaries
,aid to the teachers are lower than the
paid in some states. In this
State the males receive $500, and the fe-
males $34.08i in Rhode Island the males
eceive $S9.54; and the females $49.11; in
the males receive $1l8O7.
md the females S48.17.
No teacher, who has not had a high
chool, normal or college training, should
eel herself capable Of teaching IN ttihe Il pub
ic schools. But it costs something to make
his preparation;and teachers who are earn
ng only $25 or $50 per month cannot be
expected to attend good summer school
or self improvement, especially if the
chool term is short one.
School committees sh ould make every
fort to pay their teachers well. Forty dol
ars should be the minimum salary, for
which every school may have first class
eacher. This rule obtains in our school at
resent, and the salaries paid to the six
eaehers, including the kindergartnsr,
Verage 1863. This is greatly to the credit
{ our school committee who, I am sure,
re satisfied that the teachers are earning
aeir money.