The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-04-14
OKLAHOMA TEAcHER,s WEw
OF Some of the Faults Of the System
in the Territory,

Guthrie, o. T., April 12.-The faults of
the school system n Oklahoma are point
ed out in a communication from an old
teacher in the Ripley Times. It is inter
esting, and reads as follows:
I notice that your Clayton itomizer re-
qutsts some of our older teachers to state
in the columns of your paper, the cause
of the trouble in some of our schools, and
to suggest a remedy. is impossible to
give the cause in various cases, unless
advised of the peculiar circumstances Of
each, and if possessed of all the facts
the remedy in one district might not
prove effective in another. 1 shall
therefore, try to enumerate some of the
causes CT trouble that my observation
has suggested and then suggest some
remedies, or, rather, some means of pre-
vention.
In Oklahoma we have in nearly every
and regard it as one of the weaknesses
Of our people-not as whole, but large
ly-that they are imbued with the idea
that the schools in the former states
were better qualified than those in Ok
lahoma, and as result they frequently
express doubts as to the success of their
schools in the presence Of their children
and even encourage them in relating the
supposed defects to their teacher This
soon breeds want OF respect. and offen
contempt for the teacher, the elanor
spreads and general dissatisfaction fs
the result This is frequently so severe
that the poor teacher is impelIed 10 ouit
the school rather than bear the re
proaches Of the patrons and pupils. It is
often the case that the greatest com
plant comes from parents whose chill
dren are not far advanced, notvithstand
ing the claim that they have hitherto
had the advantages Of superior schools
previous to coming to Oklahoma
IN some districts the demand is for
cheap teachers Anybody can teach
our school, I regard this as the most
fatal error that a district can commit
In the beginning Of a child's school life
Is where correct teaching is imperative
IN order TO secure true education. In an
experience extending over thirtv-fve
years 10 the school room I think tha
hardest work / have had is undoing or
correcting what was wrongly done.
DO not wish to convey the idea that bv
cheap teachers" I mean in an cases
those who teach for a small compensa-
ton.
Frequently the members Of the scboo,
board differ relating the government ~
the school. each member advising tbs
teacher in his peculiar views.
Occasionally a member of the bos-5
viii visit the school. and at the -s,,es.
OF the teacher for suggestions. v-rT -,
iSte me old long bench story. greatly 10
'ns amusement Of the pupils. and close
WIN the information that he never eot
OUT OF the spelling book. bur THAI ne has
oeell very successful in managing his
business that his wife IS a good reader
ana mat he has NJ sympathy Tor tha
Hsiea ways of teaching This Re
not confined, however. 10 Oklahoma
me mode for licensing teachers has
tor years been discussed by able e5ros-
lots n every state. and pronounced d.
Iectlve- A certificate granted anon a,s-
wer1ng q certain Der cent az o,,es+,,,s
many Of which cannot be found n, 49,,
books available TO the average +e~o-s-
ana which ara frequently 81 no r-s--.,si
use IS not test az ability 10 tas~h H..
examinations are harder in Csi4A----
than II most states. ard oo-s sfr-z-,-- =,
vor1tism is shown. But I think -,+ d,
Payne county. I have known a f,vr ~.
pltcants ia other conntes who esrs7 -
certain branches and who aftera--g
wrote on them IN the of7cs or tts zs--
intendent and were granted ce-tiaea..s
To sum NJ, the weakness Of orr r-r-
rons. their faE1re 70 cooperate with ths
teacher. their neglect in not teachlae
their chndrea zhat they shoall sccent
new conditions. and shat they car ulFer
progress. even uPdsr an infericr teache-.
are Some - The causes q or trsuhie.
The -esiect q che teacher 90 have
dsdnite UNDERSTANDING wsth the beard at
the time u contract and il TIE hoa-1 a.
ulards iunossihl.i-les g. ref1ss the scheei
IS another seures 81 trouble. s1me t.a-..-
srs have uot sha best interests x tliair
patrcns ana pupils are therefore inttEer-
ent S also solr-e az tr1atle-
That TIE younE teacher sh1d Reach
rs means - "a end IS e5mraenlalie
when be strasEes % Elve value ~