The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1899-04-27
EDUCATIONAL.
Conducted BY W. W. +. BRIGHT,
County Supt Of Education,
Employing a Teacher.

(By DR.. A. |. Petorman, Lexing-
ton, Ky.)
Mr.. Trustoe Arc you sure the
t"hcher is q student? Mono but a
student can teach childron how to
study, for none but student
knows. You will 500 the impor-
tancc of studious habits in the
teachers whom you reflect that
teaching how to study ls one OF
the three great purposes Of tho
school. Find out, by whatever
rigid means you choose, whether
tho teacher loves to study; if he
does not, ho may be gontloman-
rvon cducnteh in Il certain scnsC-
but a teacher he is not. If he
hates study he would mako about
the Same success in teaching as the
devil would in holding Il prOtract-
cd mronting. II he loves books.
he will probabl v love to teach them;
for love Of teaching them usually
follows love OF KNOWN. them. If
he loves to read, he will probably
keep informed ns to tho movement
of tho world and tho progross OF
his profession. It he has y" loy"
IF books and lapors, ho has no
lovo for his work. Tho man or
woman of this time who does not
read is umly milstonc showing
how rapidly the rest Of the world
moves.
Are You sure the teacher has a
certificate, or can get one? 1t is
not well to risk much upon this
| phrase, "or can got one" AS a
c"nsci"tious guardian Of tho dis
trict, you cannot afford to accept
in lieu of a certificate tho nppli,
cant's confident assertion tina. LC
can easily pass the examination
Assestion that he can easily pass
tho examination. Assertion and
confidence do not count. Tho best
ovldcAro Of the ability to got cor.
tilicatr is the holding of one. 1t is
not very modest for an applicant
without a certificate to propose
making a contract to teach the
school. 1t il good deal liko an
unrccomm9nded stranger wanting
to sleep with your cash box, by
promising that sometimc after he
will present present testimonials
showing that ho will do to trust,
BY the time the examination ar
rives all tho best teachers may Ec
employed or gone to other parts !:
and if the applicant fails, the dis
trlct is IN a worse condition than
himself The safest way is to en-.
plov Il teacher who has a ccrtii.
cate to get. When the applicant
can pass, but has not passed the
examination, it is unfortunate
but tho district Is not TO blame,
and the children should not be
made to pay the penalty.
Having satisfied yourself that
the applicant is qualified IN all TO-
spccts, the next point it is the cn-
plOymcut of tho teacher. 1t is
well to remember that this must
be done in tho corporate capacity''
Of the trustees; that is, that must
hold meeting for that purpose
and act as a body. Separate indi-
vidual action Of tho trustees is
worthless at law-nuy, even worse
than worthless, for it may involve
both teacher and trustee in Sc
riuus trouble. You have in your
hands a safe guide--tho law; it is
best to follow it closely. Taking
risks is the business Of insurance.
companies, not Of tho trustccs;
they get paid for it--you don't;
but you sometimes get to do the
paying.
AS soon as the teacher is employ.
ed tho contract should he signed
by all concerned. This is mat
ter Of legal business, and there
should b" no dp!icacy in transact
ing it. Whllo the teacher is orr.