Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1899-02-08
Parents, Children and
Teachers.


AS most of our schools are now in
full blast, it might be interesting and
profitable to consider some of the re-
lations of parents, to the teacher.
Much is said in regard to the duties
OF the teacher, but parents are greatly
left out of consideration, thus leav-
ing the whole burden with the teacher.
Educational institutions are contin-
ually exhorting teachers, to visit par
ents, cultivate personal character,
keep out Of the local feuds, keep an
orderly school, e7en if hard means
will be necessary, and that love and
sympathy should be the source of
school government This the teacher
knows; and harmonious school is
the most pleasant place on earth, next
to the home.
However good a teacher, many con-
dltions confront her, and in spite of
all good will and earnest effort, a
school may remain a chaos, or an an
archy.
Let US look at some of the condi-
tions that confront the teacher. Chill
dren are sent to the school, from a
number of families, each having diff
ferent habits; and it is certainly evil
dent that such regulations must pre-
vail in the school, as will bring all in
to one harmonious unit. These regu-
lations will at once interfere with some
of the child's habits; viz, the child
is supposed to restrain himself from
talking, interfering with his school
mates, etc. Ifhls government at home
is not of a steady quality, he will soon
try the boundaries of his new sphere.
In the evening the child comes home
relating some shocking injustice i'm
posed upon him By the teacher The
imprudent parent probably answers
that, next time such a thing happens
you may do as you want in spite Of
that teacher" Accordingly the child,
having the support of his parents, will
lose his respect for the teacher and
soon find excuse for disobeying other
regulations, necessary for the common
welfare Of the school.
Again the parents being very sensi-
tive about their children, will visit the
school, and in the presence Of the pu-
pills, proceed to accuse the teacher of
injustice, tyranny, etc., probably pro-
ducing a scene Of agony of temper.
1t will readily appear, to the
thoughtful person. that this will have
a bad effect on the pupils, and the
weak government and respect that the
teacher has, will he greatly decreased.
Think Of a teacher having a school
Of from thirty to half a hundred pu-
pills prying upon her patience all day
long. Then in reward, the severe
criticism of parents and half willing
school. Do you not think your inter-
est would falter? The liking and en-
joyment you had in the work is being
crushed out by all these reverses.
Your good Intentions. your sleepless
nights, all your planning, of what &C
count are they at last?
Dear parents think twice before YOU
encourage a child to oppose the
teacher. If you do, you produce a
state of rebellion in the school. Go
to the teacher, but 60 privately. Re-
member your children are partial,
greatly SO, because they are not de-
velOped to comprehend what is really
at stake, but mostly acting upon their
own feelings. What you thought to
be wrong may be perfectly right if
carefully considered.
Let parents invite the teacher to sup
per or Sunday dinner. No place is so
humble that teacher is not pleased
to come. Visit the school and if pos
sible, tell the teacher of any merits
you~may observe. If you think the
school is not what it ought to be, do
not make it worse, but encourage your
teacher by some kind rem rks. There
is always something to criticise, even
in our best schools. Probably your
teacher has been successful, if so, re-
member that it is the result of hard
work, and a word of approval will be
heartily appreciated by the teacher.
It is encouraging to note that the
public is becoming aware of the fact,
that teachers are not fairly treated in
regard to pay. While the current is
up, let us at least give them moral
support. The expense will be nothing,
but the result will be; for the benefit Of
everybody concerned, by greatly in-
creased efficiency Of our schools. .
Let teacher, parents and children all
j''in hands, forming genial COM
pany advancing the common interests
Of humanity.
We guarantee ats faction in fitting