Martinsburg statesman. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1869-1906, 1904-12-09
DISCIPLINARY POWER HOW IT
MAY Be ACQUIRED
Miss Ruth wingeri.

Order is Heaven S first law" II
is al Q very important law in the
school room. To obtain and retain
this some one with knowledge and
skill must be placed in control OF the
Children. The teacher must not only
have knowledge OF principles and
methods, but must be skillful in their
use.
There are schools that present a
striking contrast in government. Per
maps we need rot go out of our own
district to find them Ia one. we lind
the teacher evidently struggling from
morning till night to coutro. her pu-
pills They walk heavily on the
floor, lounge when recitirg, handle
noisily books and States and other
wise keep up din of poorly conceal.
ed disorder.
In the other we find teacher ap-
parently unconscious OF the fact that
the control OF thirty or maybe forty
pupils rests on her. A beautiful spirit
OF love and harmony possesses the
school. The teacher has confidence
IN the pupils, and the pupils even
more IN the teacher. They glide noist :
iessly from seat to class; The books
and states are handled carefully; and
quiet order born of affection and
gooi will, pervades the room. Here are
found all the graces OF spirit aud cen.
duct that make beautiful the child.
Why this contrast?
Why in the one school such obvious
failure, and in the other such admir-
able success?
Someone may say that the differ
ence of the success of these teachers
is due to d ference in their methods
different system of discipline. The
real secret of the marked contrast in
their success is deeper than method
or system. 1t lies in the teacher. The
Que fails because she d pes not have in
herself the elements OF control; and
the other succeeds because she pos.
sesses them
Some teachers take as the cause OF
their failure ain discipline, external
conditioDs,-s school furniture, Iatro 9
and home tralnipg, superintendent CT
trustees, little realizing that there
are teachers, waiting 10 be called who
can step into their places, and under
the same conditions east y change
discord into harmony.
Methods are essenti4l, but the
truth that demands first al d strongest
emphasis is the vital need OF PROF er
qualifications in the teacher. Other
things may be important this is IS
sential. The teacher is cause; Ill
all else IS only condition and result.
One element, of easy control is
hsart power, love for pupils. The
difficulty in the government OF most
schools is limited TO the control of a
ve.y few pupils; and these are usual
ly children born with unhappy dis
positions, and often into unfavorable
home life and Influence. Success in
governing these pupils means easy
control OF the entire school. To gov
ern the hayward pupil; the teacher
must win his confidence and esteem.
There are times when force must lie
used, but let this be the exception.
the first month of school largely
determines the ease with which the
school is to be managed. If, from the
first day, the pupils are held evenly
and firmly to duty, right habits will
be formed and discipline be made
easy.
Some teachers are subject to spasms
OF discipline. rney punish one day
what they do not notice the next.
They have clearing up times" often
times on Monday morning, Tor which
the younger pupils cannot account.
But until the middle OF the week, they
lose all they have gained by failing to
be constantly firm.
In the training of animals, firmness
and steadiness are necessary; not the
rod. Children also respect firm and
steady disciplinarian. 1t is,evenness
of control that wins.
Be present minded, and observant,
without apparent effort. A teacher
may have good eyes but see net.
and good ears but hear not.
Another element OF disciplinary
power is common sense, practical