The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-15
SUCCESS OF TEACHERS
CIRCULAR PREPARED BY sUPERIN-
TENDENT f. A. COTTON.
Discussions mt the Meetings of Edu-
Gators Aroused Deep Interest
in the Question.

During the meeting of educators here
last week there was considerable discus
sion regarding the success of teachers in
the public schools, and some editorial COM
ment has been made regarding the dis
cussion by the newspapers. f. A. Cotton
superintendent of public instruction, has
prepared a circular of success schedules"
with explanations which he is sending out
to the public. In accordance with an act
of the Legislature he has set out the items
entering into teachers success grades.
These items are teaching ability. profess
sional attainment, conduct of the recita-
ton. result in scholarship of pupils. gov
erning and disciplinary ability, moral and
social influences on pupils and community.
ability to develop self-reliance, industry.
integrity, fidelity, etc., personality of the
teacher. professional and community inter-
est, cooperation with other teachers and
supervisors, interest in aims and plans of
the school, professional ambition and
| growth.
The following explanations of the sched-
ule are submitted: by scholastic prepara-
ton is meant the time spent in study in
some of the higher educational institutions
in addition to the scholarship as shown
va NOAoO CdCltIS SINOulu DG tiCO0Ad6CN
to study at least four years in advance Of
the work they are engaged in. A high
school teacher should have a four years
college turse, and a grade teacher at least
a four years high school course, etc.
Inc teacher who is really interested pro-
REASONABLY Is the one who seeks most per-
sistently to better fit herself both by scho-
laSuc and professional training for more
thorough work. Experience is sometimes
counted by superintendent as a large fac
tor IN marking success, but the teacher
who has taught twenty or more years may
have shown in all that time no professional
interest and little ability, and may nave
been unwilling to spend any of her time
or money In real preparation for her work.
by community interest Is meant the
cooperation OF teacher with the other
teachers and the principal or superintend-
ent in furthering the aims and plans of
the school community. Many teachers VINO
do not hit into the community life of the
school. They are controlled by little
troubles OF various kinds. and are often ex-
elusive and self-centered. This always gives
annoyance TO the principal and keeps him
constantly adjusting troubles. Again, many
good teachers are without ambition TO as
slst In the general welfare of the school.
they look after their own room. but give
no time or attention to help carry out the
suggestions from the principal or superin-
tendent. The best teacher co-operates
heartily with her principal, her superin-
tendent and associates in all movements for
the Improvement Of the school and the
| SCIlOO COllIluDllJ.
professional pursuits Is an important
item. A teacher who is satisfied simply to
teach school without investigating and i'm
proving, except as suggested by the princi-
pal or superintendent, is not doing her
best. She should be interested in good
works on pedagogy, psychology, methods
ETC.. Her reading of school periodicals, at
tendance upon educational gatherings, heI
knowledge of current events and the liter
allure OF the day, are all important factors
TO be considered in marking the success
grade.
The difficulty in applying these SEIZED.
ules will be in marking the details. After
having marked the items conscientiously
the superintendent often finds that he does
He feels that 1t is too much or too little
especially when she is compared with Other
teachers whom he has marked lust as
carefully on the same plan.
The superintendent should have in mind
all the items mentioned In the schedules
but it will be difficult TO mark them sep.
arateiy. After all, ones general impress.
sion of a school is a better guide than tn,
summary OF the several items. especial,
when the superintendent is in doubt.
"A teacher is successful when she II
training her children to love order, ODE
dience. politeness, and to have reverence,
for things sacred. In judging the work o.
the method of planting, sowing, cult
waiting or reaping, but the emphasis II
placed upon the growing plant in it's va
rious stages, and TO the finished product
Likewise, in passing judgment upon tn,
work of the teacher. the general spirit O
the school, rather than the detailed analy
sis; the general impression of the teach
several items, should guide the superin
tendent in marking the success grades