The leader., 1904-05-07
EDUCATIONAL BUREAU
Under Direction Of Kate MARKHAM POWER.
Letter to the Teachers in Mississippi.
Jackson, Miss, May ..

Letter to the Teachers In Mississippi.
Jackson, Miss, May 2.
To our Teachers:
AS many Of you, doubtless, know,
few of the leading educators of the
State, recognizing the need of 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 fine
idea-an inspiration almost-to put
their matter in the country papers in
stead of in the city dailies, because
the county paper" is almost as sure
Of its place In every family that pat
ronizes school as is the big family
Bible and the photograph album, while
man must be able to count much
more pretentious possessions who
makes 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,
and the entire cost of publication, edit
ing. etc, is met by 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
triotic men are giving the very best
that Is in them to aid the men and
women of tomorrow to equip them
selves for the fray-and for 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 it.
AS we have repeatedly said in these
columns, we must first of all have
longer terms in our rural schools.
Why, it would need the brain of
genius to accomplish all that Is ex-
pected of 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, handi-
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
it back to the child have in mind
as / write a young teacher whose
work as l look upon it, and consider
the depth and breadth Of the influence
that goes out daily from that little I'M
painted box Of school house, sitting
in the shadow of the forest, is a grand
work She is more than teacher-she
Is preacher-for l 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 it is beyond
my skill to make worthy picture of
her. Would that I might, and thus
show to the world the greatest aid
to the blessed work of enlightening
and uplifting the human race! This
brave little missionary-teacher of
whom speak, puts heart and soul and
brain into her work, and accomplishes
wonderful things. But her entire prep
aration for the great school of life,
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 short
school terms were the same, and. her
teacher had passed through just the
same routine in her school days. Both
make excellent teachers, but what
might we hope for such girls with
proper training? If the young girl
had been able to study under trained
teachers for eight or nine out of twelve
months; il she had spent her school
time amid beautiful Surroundings, and
with needed apparatus at hand, for
clearer demonstration of scientific
problems; if, even now, she could go,
during her long vacation, to training
school, how wonderful thing it would
be for her. and how vastly she would
improve by the months of study and
congenial association And then, in
turn, how wonderful would be the
benefit to the children under her care!
So, not only are we begging for better
trained teachers to begin with, but for
school to which these teachers can
go for postgraduate work, or special
work in any chosen line.
Another requisite for the success we
hope to attain is higher standard
among our county superintendent. To
hold this Office a man should have not
only a thorough education, but execu-
tive ability, tact, and ample time to
give to the important work. 1t is not
enough that he should give to it such
spare time as he may elect. 1t should
be so arranged that his salary would
suffice for a comfortable support, and
le should then be required to give all
of his time to the schools under his
jurisdiction. There is work enough,
and moro than enough, to keep man
busy, if he gives to each school in his
county the care and attention that is
needed to help it on to success.
have endeavored thus briefly to
set before you the improvements we
especially desire to accomplish by this
department, and before closing I must
ask that each and every teacher, no
matter how great the university or col
lege you represent, or how small and
insignificant the school you teach, give
to us his or her interest and co-opera-
tion Without these we can do little.
With them we can accomplish marvel
Gus things The first thing needful is