The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-03-18


TAsy sAesia De Given Chance ts
Rest ana Learn.
Seattle March IL. lSsa
To the Editor: In the proceedings or
the school board a. reported in a recent
issue Of the st-Intelligencer the mat
ter Of leave OF absence for teachers was
dealt with in . manner that has called
forth much surprise and adverse com
ment among many tax-paying and other
citizens interested in the best welfare or
our schools and school system.
With due respect TO our board OF edu-
cation. the fact remains that the refusal
to grant leave OF absence to worthy teach
err for certain purposes must necessarily
work hardship no, only to the teachers
Interested. but to the progressive spirit
which should dominate our schools. The
WORK OF teaching on the part OF con-
scientious teacher entails a greater out
iAy OF nervous and magnetic force than In
ainost any other vocation, as the con-
slant demand made on the instructors
undivided attention calls at once for great
concentration Of mental energy and
dispersion OF physical force. Statistical
records kept In some of our large cities,
notably Chicago. establieh the fact that
AFTER . term OF i've years the average
teacher ID bettered physically by an In
tertzn OF = years rest; therefore a leave
" eo9sHce tof Ie0sohs OF nooue0 rest or
improvement Of health recommends itself
~ humane measure II no other.
We certainly ara living in a progressive
a8e, and to what claso Of workers does
tho public look with greater hope and
confidence than to the instructors OF It's
youth that they keep abreast OF best
methods and lines of work? This is rarely
possible Tor the average teacher who has
worked for and won good position. IL the
rear ct losing 1t keeps him or her from
extending their knowledge and lettering
thear methode by observation and contact
with better or more advanced institutions.
as the usual vacations come at time
when suspension of activities is general In
all institutions OF learning.
The earnest. conscientious teacher may
feel the need of better equipment, of en-
larging his or her scope by observation or
comparison. all Of which perhaps can be
made possible only by q well-app.ied leave
OF absence frcm his or her regular duties.
Can there be any adequate reason why
such leave should not be granted:
Does It not necessarily follow that retro
erosion on the part Of many an Instructor
but indinerently equipped for his work.
who dare not ask for a vacation for the
purpose Of further equipment because Of
the fear Of losing good position, viii be
the result?
A careful observation and comparison
OF teachers develops tho fact that it is
the progressive. growing individual who
seeks leave of absence for the above
mentioned reasons-the careless, iniiffer-
ent one. never. A number OF instances
could be cited among Seattle's teachers
who sought and made use Of time granted
them in this way.
IL there nothing due the faithful in
structor In the way Of hearty apprecia-
ton of his or her past services than by
3un -
hoard, representing the interested public
OF our fair city. to make possible and
profitable desired leave Of absence?
II 1t not also duo that sauna interested
public that tts elected representatives
place themselves ON record es helping to
achieve the best possible educational re-
sulta Cor the growing youth o. our city
by working In harmony with the bes. eff
forts OF our teachers?
ROSE SIMMONS