Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-11-01
CHRISTENSEN TO
THE TEACHERS.
Delivers Address on discipline
And Organization Of Schools"
STIRRING CHORUS WORK.
Lowell Boys aud Hamilton Girls Sur-
prise Pedagognes With Their M
ceIIeni 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, a company of girls
from the Hamilton school under the di-
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
misconceiyed idea Of the resolution re-
Gently passed by the board Of educa
ton relative to designations, and warm
ly commencing It's workings.
Addressing himself to 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
poise, 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 a 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 military nature. 10 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 bis relations 70
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 viii come, In the |
estimation Of Supt Christensen, when |
this method OF punishment viii be n
thing Of the past. Whatever method Is |
adopted TO improve the child, no at |
tempt Should be made in n spirit Of |
anger, neither should extra work be inn |
posed 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
nlfed aud approachable, he should be
zone with them not zone Of them"
The true teacher viii sympathize with
child nature. viii teach the esthetic,
encourage that which Is worthy and
discourage that which Is unworthy. A
good teacher Is essentially optimistic,
and while exertlng a strong will power
must not taunt the child with that for
which he IS not responsible. II he en-
ers the profession for the purpose Of
making money only, he Is shortsll ted,
X teachers as a class are poorly paid.
L is the province OF the teacher also
o encourage pupils 10 secure a good
.ducation By attending the High school
md university. and his duty to direct
i'm In his choice of course best suit
a 20 him.
In closing Mr. Christensen. while eX-
ending greetings for the work already
.chieved, made an earnest appeal TO
prosecute vigorously the work TO which !