Smyrna times., 1899-01-04
LOW SALARIES OF TEACHERS.
Report Submitted by Supt. c. c. Tindai TO
the State Board of Edu-
cation.

The following report and RECON-
mendations were submitted by Supt.
@. G. Tindal to the State Board of Ed
ucation at a meeting on December
the Goth:
Perhaps the greatest obstacle now in
the way of securing a body of teachers
fairly well educated and trained for
their special work is the small remun-
Grafton offered for teaching as COM
pared with that of occupations requir-
ing like amount of preparation.
The teacher in these days should not
be obliged to engage in another calling
a part of the year to bring too meager
salary up to figure at which he may
be able to exist. His income from
teaching should warrent him in devOt-
ing his entire time to teaching and to
the preparation for teaching. One can
not be farmer or trader or hOusekeeper
and teacher at the same time. Just in
proportion in as one is occupied in
another calling, to that extent
he is not teacher. If he is
obliged TO be farmer half the year, then
he cannot be more than half teacher,
and perhaps not that.
The money thus applied is largely
misapplled. First, free the teacher
from the necessity of engaging in any
other calling a part of the year than
of teaching, and then raise the stand
ard required for a certificate to a de-
g1ee that will render it impossible
to do so.
HIGHER SCHOLARSHIP NEEDED.
All new candidates should have the
equivalent of a good high school edu-
hae
cate to teach. TO secure this higher
subjects should be added as require
ments for the first certificate:
Elements of Algebra, Geometry,
Rhetoric and Physics. This provision
should not be made to apply to those
who now hold certificates, nor to new
candidates after having received their
first certificate.
GREATER MATURITY IN NEW CANDIDATES.
Not infrequently new candidate
fails because he is unable to command
that respect and Difference which are
so essential to the successful govern
ment of a school. The remedy must
be sought in a greater degree of ma
turity both in scholarship and in
years.
The lowest age limit at which new
candidate may receive a certificate to
teach according to the present ruling
of the State Board of Education is 1S
years. This age limit should be raised
to 20 years. This rule should not how
ever be made to apply to those candi-
dates who merit a first grade certificate
at the age of Is years
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.
Our ultimate aim should be to pro-
vide a well educated, well trained
teacher for every school in the State.
To realize this aim fully a State Nor
NAL School, first class in all its ap-
pointments, is an absolute necessity.
While working and waiting for this
| institution, we may, however, do much
to improve the quality of teaching
| through other agencies that are more
easily within our reach.
| We should endeayOr first to free the
| teacher from the necessity of engaging
In other occupations, encourage higher
scholarship and offer the best facilities
possible for professional training.
Indeed, 1t is not at all improbable
that the only way to the realization of
a State Normal School in Delaware is
through the influence of number of
smaller agencies. These must awaken
public sentiment to the necessity of a
special professional training of those
who are to be teachers.
One of the ways to create demand
for better teaching is to make better
teachers.
The establishment of a chair of Ped.
agogy- i'll Delaware College as a ster
toward the founding of State Nor
NAL School should receive serious con.
slderation whenever the number OF
those who would be likely to come
under its influence would warrent
it.