Wadsworth semi-weekly dispatch. [volume] (Wadsworth, Nev.) 1899-1904, 1904-04-08
FrcuA the German
The St0rk's Message

MYTH pleasure remember the
w time when | left the high
school TO take a place as a lady teacher
in one Of our public schools. My mind.
full Of ideals and hopes, was anxious
for the moment to come WIN | could
put the theoretical training into prac-
teal use. | always had a great like
ing for teaching and selected the pro-
fession of a teacher.
My love for the little ones and the
thought of caring for them, guiding
them and laying within them the
foundation for further mental develop
ment, filled my heart with ~inexpress-
ible Joy. | also had taken great pleas
ure in my studies and after graduation
was recommended by my old teacher
to take charge Of the first grade in our
public schools.
The appointment was very pleasing
to me and later on | found great pleas
ure in my vocation. and 1t is with
amusement | recall one Of the little
episodes that happened during my
early experience as a school teacher:
The day before the opening Of the
school the teachers me. in the con-
ference room. Here | was introduced
to the principal. a very tall and slend-
er lady with al unkindly expression in
her face. She looked me over with
her cold gray eyes in a very ~deprecia-
tory manner, then asked: "You are the
young lady who will teach the first
grade this term1" Yes" replied.
1.-The school directors have SO advised
me-" at seems you are very glad
about it," said the principal, ''but do
not delude yourself for a moment with
the idea that teaching school is easy"
81 take nothing easy" | replied, land
am proud Of my work. "Oh. yes!"
she answered, "you are like the rest Of
us. A few years In this business and
your enthusiasm will be gone" Then.
addressing ar elderly. pleasant looking
gentleman. she remarked:
Il cannot understand why the direct
ors should give such young teachers
the first grade. The easiest time to
spoil the. children Is when they first
start to school. They need teachers
with experience"
"Pshaw!' exclaimed the old gen.
tleman, Youth belongs to youth
We old and worn out teachers have,
with all our experience, not the pat.
ence the teaching Of the little ones re-
quires. Our directors know their
duties. A young girl who still loves
her profession is the proper person to
take charge of the little children, who
are thrown out of their paradise by
their first school day. This little Miss,
with her sparkling eyes"-and he pat
ted my cheeks in a fatherly way-''will
train these strong minded youngsters
better than we, with all our knowledge "
The old gentleman was right. In a
short time had my little flock under
perfect control. OF course. we did not
laugh and play all the time, and in our
studies | was very strict. but in Il c
good and bad those little children we e
my friends, and they proved it on sew
eral occasions.
When my birthday came, | had no
idea that my little band would take no
tice of it. and, therefore was quite sur
prised. On entering the school room, to
find my desk covered with flowers,
porcelain plates. fine cut drinking glass
es. work baskets and many other little
presents. The children had surround
ed the desk in a half circle and their
bright little eyes shone with happiness,
wondering what would say to such a
welcome.