Smyrna times., 1902-06-18

torial from the School journal of New York.
Its appropriateness at this time will be rec
OgniZed by all interested in school work.
l would call attention to the last para
graph as setting forth a need that the good
thinking public ought to consider that of
electing teachers before vacation.
J.P .BURDETTE.
The school year is rapidly drawing
to close. Teachers and pupils are
counting the days that remain for
work. If they are happy in the
thought of the approaching vacation,
who will deprive them of their Joy?
Forty weeks of almost continuous ner-
vous strain is more than sufficient rea-
son for a longing for brief respite
from the burden of trying response
bilities.
Yet there are people who are forever
grumbling about the length of the
teachers vacation. If they are told
that teaching is exhausting work and
that the amount of vitality consumed
in it must be restored, they shake their
heads and point to some black sheep
that has come to their notice, teach
er who spends most of her strength in
dissipation, who is to be found at ev-
cry card party, at every dance, and at
whatsoever else there is going on.
Unfortunately we cannot deny that
not every teacher is consecrating her
self as much as her work deserves.
But school community that is really
in earnest to get the best teachers for
its children has only itself to blame
when they retain an unfaithful SER
want.
The Conscientious Teacher is WOru out.
The conscientious teacher is worn
out in the performance of her duties.
Two months vacation year is barely
sufficient to tone up her vital force and
renew her courage and keep alive the
enthusiasm without which she cannot
do her best work The latter point is
one which many people do not think
of. 1t makes little difference to hu-
manity whether a druggist or a shoe
maker puts any enthusiasm into his
business. With a teacher this is ev-
erything. She cannot possibly live up
to the requirements of her office with
out it. 1t is only the effective force
for urging pupils on the way to i'm
prOvement. Any man of sense will
recognize that a racehOrse cannot pos
sibly be kept in good. condition if it is
not allowed to enjoy a long period of
recuperation. Enthusiastic teaching
is no less exhausting and recreation is
even more urgently needed. Yet
people will make allowances for the
horse who harden their hearts to the
teacher.
But even from the most selfish point
of view a parent can take, the need of
giving teachers and especially the pri-
mary teachers an adequate vacation is
evident. A tired teacher is as cross as
any other mortal in similar condi-
tion. The effects upon the tempera-
ments of the children is not so diff.
cult to imagine for person with any
intelligence. Ambition must neces-
sarily die in an atmosphere Of this
kind, and some of the choicest bios
SONS going to school are blighted, auC
the fruitage will be small
Opportunities Afforded in Vacation Time.
One other point It is the teacher
business to communicate to the pupil
ell that is most useful and precious i
civilization. The constant giving ou
cannot but result in stagnation if n
opportunity is to be had to renew an
invigorate mind and body. Eve
streams could not Withstand an unin
terrupted succession Of days of sum
mer heat. Parents who desire fo
their children the best that may b
obtained from the school-and wht
parent is there so dead to love that
does not ought to be glad of th
opportunities afforded the teacher b
the vacation lime to enlarge her r,
sources and enrich her teachin
power Il means an increase of IL
ell ~ advantages of their CHI
dren if nothing more.
In a school community in which il
telligence reigns and the hearts bel
warm for the welfare of the little chill
nothing will be left undone for Il
teachers health and comfort. Teac
ing is most trying work under the be
conditions. The salary will be fai
not covering merely the bare necest
ties of animal existence, but takiI
thought of the fact that teachers mu
keep up their intellectual life as W.
and that it costs money to subscri
for needed periodicals, to purcha
books, attend improvement meeting
UIo v.apor~o1 rf A. -