Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-02-27
DUTIES OF DIRECTORS
what They Gan do to Make the
Schools More EHieient

Schools More Enieient
There are a multiplicity of things
that may be done by directors to
increase the efficiency of school,
but / will undertake to enumerate
but a few that come to my mind.
In the first place the director should
take an active interest in the school
over which he exercises the author
ity conferred by the patrons Of his
district He should frequently and
kindly confer with teacher, parent
and pupils, and be able TO see clearly
any beneficial results following any
special work done by teacher or
pupils, and bestow words of en-
oouragement and praise accordingly.
He should be slow TO condemn and
sparing in criticism.
When a good teacher is secured
and has proven himself worthy, the
director should use every endeavor
TO retain him. Keep him if his
salary has to be raised, and by so
doing you incur the everlasting
enmity of the useful individual
who parades over the nom de plume
of taxpayer"
The practice, happily now wan
ing, of changing teachers every
term or two, or giving the school to
the lowest bidder, regardless of
qualifications, is most pernicious
and demoralizing.
Next to the teacher comes the
school building and play grounds.
Look after them carefully. They
are silent, though powerful, edu-
Gators. See that th " are kept
sorupulously neat and clean see
that the janitor looks carefully after
details. Keep the school house
shining with fresh paint and clean
paper. No boy will dare step inside
such a place with muddy shoes
without sort of wholesome fear
stealing through him, even though
he is not reported. 1t commands
his respect and he will show it by
marked improvement in his general
neat appearance. In its posses
sion the teacher, pupils and inhabit-
ants of the entire district will take
distinct pride and will be greatly
benefited.
In the purchase of school appar-
atus, maps, books, ETC., the director
should not be afraid of the invests
ment of a few dollars annually.
Show me a school we'll supplied with
apparatus and l will show you a
good school, whore good work is
being done. Appropriate a few
dollars for experimental material for
the philosophy and other classes.
The boys and girls will appreciate it
and 1t will add variety and life to
the usual routine work. In buying
apparatus don't throw your money
away. Exercise care. prudence and
business sense in its purchase. Don't
waste the money because it belongs
to the district and buy everything
that every agent has to sell. l
know districts that have hundreds
of dollars invested in curios and
whatnots that are not worth the
price of load Of cobs. Buy, but
buy judiciously and carefully,
Visit the school frequently, advise
and counsel with the teacher. If he
has done anything that specially
pleases you, or is worthy of praise,
tell him OF it, and strew a few
flowers along his pathway. Don't
oppose, without good reason, any
new methods of work that may be
suggested by the county superin-
tendent or teacher. Remember that
they are just as much interested in
the success of the school as you
are, and perhaps more so.
Remember that the world moves
and that the schools Of today are
not like those of twenty or thirty
years ago, and that their needs are
sometimes different. If you cant
persuade your self to believe this
call In some primary tot and get 4
few pointers. Visit the school fre
quently. talk with the teachers anC
pupils and county superintendent
attend the teachers meetings an(
institutes, familiarize yourself viii
the needs Of the school room, or els
resign your position and pay you
poll tax like a man ADDISON PAOY
Member Board Of Education, Elm
wood, Illinois.
. Saved Her chlIds Lie
"In three weeks our chubby littl