The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1900-11-07
A Card from a Teacher.

Last winter when "Dashing Derby"
made the charge, hat "ninc-tcnths of the
teachers Of Laurens County didn't care a
cent whether their pupils learned any
thing at all or not we were very indig-
nant, and justly SO; for the charge was
extravagant beyond all reason. The very
extravaganza of the charge killed the
force of other assertions that he made
which were probably true. Among 9TH
cr things he said, was, that many parents
had complained that their children were
not learning. The fault was, chiefly,
most likely with the children and the
parents. AS am writing this article for
the benefit Of the trustees and teachers,
| will cndcavor to show wherein there
was, at least, some ground for complaint
against them and just here | would
state, that Trustee" in his article, con-
dcmned himself in conforming the teach
ers. Trustees arc appointed to secure
competent teachers, and to sec that they
do their duty so q teacher cannot utter
ly fail, without bringing SOME condemna-
ton on the trustees. The trustees should
be careful TO select for teachers those who
take a deep interest in educational at
fairs. Those teachers who take no inter
est in school work, except during school
hours, give just ground for suspccting
that they are teaching only for the money,
and no one should he more cognizant of
this fact than the trustees themselves.
There is n Teachers Association in
Laurens County, and very few of the
teachers attend. There is no admission
nor incidental fee, and all trustees and
teachers are urged to become members.
The trustees can greatly assist in the
work of the Association, by calling the
attention Of their teachers to the time of
meeting, and aiding them in making ar
rangements to attend. Many lady teach
ers board away from home and cannot
attend, unless some way is provided for
them to come. Generally, some of the
patrons or trustees can make this provision
with little or no Inconvenience to them
selves. | believe that there is not a
community in the county but that would
be proud to know that their teacher is a
regular attendant at the teachers meet
ingS and takes a prominent part in the
proceedings. People like a live, progress
sive teacher. Another way 10 which
teachers can greatly assist in these meet
ings is by having it understood that, in
employing teachers, they will seek to Sc
cure the services Of those who are wide
awake and have a mind to work. If ev-
en- one trustee from every school district
would be present at each meeting, what a
help it would be to them aud their
schools in getting the right kind of
teachers, and what an awakening there
would soon be among the teachers
Trustees, / make an earnest appeal to you
to be present at u next meeting, and if
possible, induce your teachers to come.
The next meeting will be the 10th of
November.
Now, my fellow-tcachers, l turn to
you. Do you realize what a responsibility
you assumed IN becoming a teacher ? Do
you comprehend the dignity of your pro-
tcsslon? This is the most progressive
age the world has yet seen. Doctors,
lawyers, preachers, are studying as never
before. Farmers, mechanics and men of
every class arc beginning to study. New
inventions, new ideas, new thoughts, are
constantly brought forth. Some of the
new ideas arc positively injurious, while
some are the noblest conceptions of man.
Are the common schools to keep abreast
OF the times? If the teacher is alive and
up to date, the best thought of men will
be inculcatcd. We have taken upon our
selves to train boys and girls for right
living. How many boys and girls arc
made better by your training and inhu-
encc How many are made worse? How
many might have been made nobler still,
if you had properly prepared yourself in
every way for the work entrusted to
your charge?
Let US, then, awake to a sense of our
duty. Let us realize the almost over
powcring responsibility that rests upon
MS. Let it not be said Of the teachers of
Laurens County, that they arc satisfied
with anything but the very best results.
Let US show TO the trustees and patrons
Of Our schools that We are willing to make
sacrifices to better prepare ourselves for
the work we are doiog. | make this
earnest appeal in behalf of the children
whose whole lives will be influenced by
our teaching. May we not expect at
least one hundred trustees and teachers
at our next meeting.
TEACHER.