Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-11-01
Delivers Address on Discipline
And Organization Of Schools"
STIRRING CHORUS WORK.
Lowell Boys aud Hamilton Girls Sur
prise Pedsgogues with Their Ex-
ceiIcnt singing To-day.

A general meeting Of the teachers OF
this city was held in the assembly
room of the West Side high school at
10 o'clock this morning. The exercises
were opened by a stirring chorus OF
boys from the Lowell school, under the
direction of Mr.. Wetzel, which was re-
ceived with hearty applique.
Then the audience was again treated
TO another chorus, company of girls
from the Hamilton school under the d.
rection of Miss Ethel Lane, who were
also received with every manifestation
of approval.
Before taking up his subject, supt
Christensen took occasion to explain a
misconcelved idea OF the resolution re-
Gently passed by the board of educa-
ton relative to designations, and warm
ly commencing Its workings.
Addressing himself 10 his subject
discipline and Organization OF
Schools" the speaker made an earnest
appeal TO all that is true and noble in
manhood and womanhood, a plea for
the very best that is in the teacher, his
energy, personal appearance, self
pose, scholarly qualifications and all
that constitutes the successful one who
would give dignity TO the profession.
School discipline as an end In order
that the work may be facilitated was
dwelt upon with emphasis, but In
broader sense the teacher Is a charac-
ter builder. The pupil should be taught
respect for order, and high regard
for his teacher. Hence. the Instructor
must be neat and tidy not only IN per-
sonal appearance. but in everything
pertaining to the school room. The
school should be taught to be prompt at
obeying signals. Movements should be
something Of a military nature, TO the
end that grace of carriage, ease in
bearing and dignity In every essential,
whether In relation to appearance upon
the street, or among his fellows shall
be a legitimate result. The teacher
should be positive In his relations TO
his charge. The Negative, undecided
person has no place In the school room.
Good order should be maintained by Sc
curing interest IN the work, and By an
appeal TO that which is noble and true,
There are no doubt times when coercion
by means of corporal punishment must
be resorted TO but this means should
be a last resort and when all others
have failed. The time Will come, In the
estimation OF Supt Christensen, when
this method Of punishment Will be a
thing OF the past. Whatever method Is
adopted 10 improve the child, no at
tempt should be made In spirit OF
anger neither should extra work be Inn
Dosed as a corrective measure, as the
very purpose for witch tte pupil at
tends school Is thwarted. Fear should
never take possession Of the child in an
effort 10 inspire respect for good order.
While the teacher must be genial, dig
nl0ed and approachable, he should be
conc with them" not zone OF them
The true teacher will sympathize with
child nature will teach the esthetic,
encourage that which Is worthy and
discourage that which Is unworthy.
good teacher Is essentially optimistic,
ana while eSertlng a strong viii power
must not taunt the child with that for
which ne IS not responsible. II he en-
,ers the profession for the purpose Of
making money only, he Is shortsighte1,
as teachers as a class are poorly paid.
II IL the province Of the teacher also
TO encourage pupils TO secure good
education by attending the High school
and university. and his duty TO direct
him In his choice Of a course best suit
ed TO him.
In closing Mr.. Christensen, while ex-
tending greetings for the work already
achieved, made an earnest appeal 10
prosecute vigorously the work TO which