The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-02-22
GOOD SCHOOL ADVICE.

some Kings Parents IN the Rural Dis
triCts May Do for Public Schools.
To the Editor:-While in general we
say our public schools are what the
teachers make them, yet there is much
that may be doxe by the parents to
help make these schools accomplish
what they may and should do.
In the first place the parents should
be CO workers with the teacher.
Some parents think they have done
their whole duty when they send their
children to school.
I admit this is a very important
duty, and one lam sorry to say is often
neglected. We must, of course, have
the children in school in order for them
to benefit by the school.
Why are not more of our children in
these schools9 Why does such a large
per cent Of the children not attends I
hesr some say it is because the teach
ers are not what they should be. lad
NIT that often our teachers are not
what they should be-. The parents are
not responsible for what the educational
and moral qualifications of the teacher
are but they have a great deal to do
with making him what he should be as
a successful teacher and manager OF a
school.
Why do reports come into this Office
stating that such and such a school has
only eight or ten pupils. No special
objection to the teacher, but the people
just simply do not send their children
to school.
In such cases I heartily believe there
is something the matter with the
teacher, but l also believe there is
something very much the matter with
the people in such a community.
How well do I remember how the
bright-eyed boy and girls scrutinized
my very word and act on the first few
days of the public schools / taught.
these children had something to say of
me when they went home. They had
some opinion formed of the Teacher"
and some I remember thought it was
the greatest thing in the world 90 have
something to tell the teacher"
How often when these first impress
sions are being made in these tender
minds of what the teacher is, do some
parents make one of the greatest mis-
takes of their lives. Instead Of encour
aging the good Impressions that have
been made by honest effort Of the
teacher on the minds of their little
ones, we have known of their destroy
ing these impressions and even poison
ing and prejudicing the minds Of their
own children against the teacher,
simply because the parent himself
does not like the teacher, or is out OF
humor because his fRVorite teacher
was not elected to have charge of the
school.
How many precious efforts on the
part of honest, conscientious teachers
have been destroyed by thoughtless
parents in this way. No teacher can
accomplish what he should WithSRny
child unless he hRs'the respect and con
idence of that child.
I beg you parents, to be careful what
you a of the teachers in the presence
of your children. If the teacher is not
doing his duty by your children and
the school, I would not have you re-
main silent on the subject, but see the
teacher personally. If ne is honest and
what he should be, he will thank you
for it, and the wrong easily maderight.
How much easier and better it is TO
do this way than to talk before your
children and destroy their confidence
in the teacher, and to talk to your
neighbors and before your neighbours
children and destroy their confidence
in this teacher also. A little thought
and prudence on the part Of parents
along this line will go a long way to
tighten the Burdens Of the teacher and
help to a wonderful extent to make
him what he should be.
I will write again and speak OF some
other things parents may do for our
public schools. @. 81. MEBANE,
supt. Public Instruction.