The weekly Thibodaux sentinel. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 1898-1905, 1900-05-19
Communicated.
Editor Sentinel [;

Editor Sentinel:
Will you kindly allow me space in
your paper to voice some sentiments
which are near to my heart, and about
subject in which believe the people
of the parish are profoundly interest
ed:
The election is over and our pre-
sent competent Parish Surperinteu-
dent of School has been elected to
another and more lucrative office.
The question arises, "Who is to be
his successor There are many
competent gentlemen in the parish
who would, no doubt, gladly accept
the position if rendered them by the
School Board. But before making
selection, this body should ponder
we'll and bear in mind that the we'll
fare of the rising generation depends,
in q measure, upon their choice. AL.
most anybody would be willing to
write out cheeks for the teacher 6
salary once month, and possibly
make flying trip to visit tue various
schools once year, and act as secre.
tary to the School Board for $500 a
year but if the best interests of the
Schools are to be looked after, there
is something more required. The
teachers need leader, the school
system of the parish needs head.
Teachers, if they do best the work
which it is intended they should do,
must not only know something of the
branches they are to teach, but they
are supposed to know. aud must
know, something about the methods
importing this knowledge to the
taught. Not only so, but they must
know something Of the nature of the
being which they are to mould and
make into a perfect, we'll informed,
we'll rounded man or woman. They
must know something of school man.
agement, and many other thugs
which 70 to make up the qualitica-
tions of professional teacher. And,
to keep IN touch with their profes
sion andto keep step with 1t in is
march Of progress, they must read
educational books and periodicals aud
attend teachers institutes aud con.
ventions. Before they are permitted
to teach. they are examined to ascer-
tain whAher they are qualified. This
is all right and proper.
But what about the man who is
placed at the head of this teaching
force ? Should he not have some 9th.
er qualifications besides the requisite
scholarship Should he not know
something of methods Of instruction ?
Should he not be one, who is not
only competent but willing to meet
with and instruct his teachers in in.
stitute once q month for their edit,
cation and the upbuilding of the
schools =? Certainly, he should not let
any other vacation interfere with his
duties as Superintendent. The sala-
ry is sufficient to get man who is
not only competent but who will find
the leisure to superintend the schools
of the parish, h,-superintend IN its
brOadest sense.
Before the new Superintendent is
elected we think it would throw much
light on this subject if the various
members of the School Board would
procure the published proceedings Of
the Fourth Annual Convention of
the Louisiana State Public School
Teachers Association and read there.
in the three excellent papers which
were read before that body on 1.-The
Parish Superintendent.
The educational lights all agree in
saying that the Superintendent should
be practical educator. When We
want a Judge, we always select a
lawyer when We are in need OF some
one to fill the cOrOner's office, We
invite the ranks of the physicians /;
when we want u general, we take one
wha has made a study Of arms
what could be more natural and ap.
propriate than tc seek a Superinten-
dent in the ranks of the teachers :
But above all, let US not make our
public school system the "fag end
of politics. We believe in the School
Board and are fully persuaded that
they will do what they believe will
best subserve the interests of ouI
public schools.
From one who is willing to serve
,n the ranks but would like TO have
q leader, fearless IN the discharge OF
his duty, Competent-nOt merely edn
cutionally "A leader who would devote
his time and best energies TO school
supervision.