The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1904-05-07
Letter to the Teachers In Mississippi.

Jackson, Miss, May 2.
To our Teachers:
AS many of you, doubtless, know,
a few of the leading educators of the
State, recognizing the need of a me-
dunn through which the great public
could be reached each week, created
this bureau last February with the
hope of reaching through its columns
all the teachers and a large per cent
OF the people who support these teach
ers and their schools. 1t was a fine
idea-an inspiration almost-to put
their matter in the country papers in
stead OF In the city dailies, because
b county paper" is almost as sure
OF Its place in every family that pat
ronizes a school as Is the big family
Bible and the photograph album, while
more p%retentious possessions who
makes a habit of subscribing for the
city dailies.
This experiment was inaugurated
solely for the benefit Of those inter
ested in the great work of education,
n the entire cost Of publication, edit
Ing, etc, Is met by a few of these brave
men, TO whom the work is so dear,
because it is the very foundation-stone
OF Mississippi's future. Education will
be the all~-conquering weapon in the
contest Of the future, and these pa
tI1otic men are giving the very best
that is in them to aid the men and
-1A~nn &c 30 nu,,fn fhnro-
selves for the fray-and for a victor's
crown therein.
1t Is our earnest desire to arouse
some enthusiasm in those who are not
yet interested, and to increase the
interest of others in those things
which are absolute necessities, if our
system of education is to achieve the
great things we hope for, and believe
Of 1t.
AS we have repeatedly said in these
columns, we must first of all have
longer terms In our rural schools.
genius to accomplish all that is ex-
pected of a child in his few brief
months of country "schooling!"
The next great need is of better
trained teachers. We have the best
teachers, as all our people know, to be
found the wide world over, but some OF
the very finest (some who are born
teachers, and whose success, hand1-
capped as they are, is extraordinary
have had least opportunity for the
training that, in these days, must be
had, if the teacher is to get the best
that is within her, and, in turn, give
Il back to the child. l have in mind
as | write a young teacher whose
work as | look upon it, and consider
the depth and breadth of the influence
that goes out daily from that little un-
painted box of a school house, sitting
In the shadow of the forest, is a grand
work. She is more than teacher-she
L. preacher-for | hold that our con-
| secrated young women who are teach
ing and giving their very best selves
to the work in remote country districts
are our best missionaries; she is
friend. guide and counsellor, not only
of the children, but of the parents as
well. Indeed. she Is so much more, as
she goes in and out among them, than
any one can imagine, that 1t is beyond
nv skill to make a worthy picture or
her. Would that l might, and thus
show to the world the greatest ala
to the blessed work of enlightenlng
and uplifting the human race! This
brave little missionary-teacher OF
whom | speak, puts heart and soul anu
brain into her work, and accompllshes
wonderful things. But her entire prep
aration for the great school or lie,
and her training for the position OF
teacher. was gained in just such an
unattractive school house as the one
she now presides over, and her shor'
school terms were the same, and mel
teacher had passed through just the
same routine in her school days. Botr
make excellent teachers, but Wha'
might we hope for such girls witt
proner training? II the young CIR
had baen able to study under trained
teachers for eight or nine out or twelve
months: if she had spent her schoo
time amid beautiful surroundings, ane
with needed apparatus at hand, 1ol
clearer demonstration OF scientln
problems; if, even now, she could go
during her long vacation, to a training
school. how wonderful a thing 1t Woulo
be for her, and how vastly she woulc
improve by the months of study ane
c~ongenial association. And then, II
turn. how wonderful woul be the
benefit to the children under her care
So, not only are we begging for better
trained teachers to begin with, put 10
a school to which these teachers car
70 for postgraduate work, or specla
work in any chosen line.
Another requisite for the success W.
hope to attain is a higher STANDARD
among our county superintendent. IL
hold this office a man should have no
only a thorough education, but execu
tive ability, tact. and ample m Il
give to the important work. 1t Is no
enough that he should give to 1t suci
"spare time as he may elect. 1t
be so arranged that his salary u
suffice for a comfortable support, an
he should then be required to give al