Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1905-03-24

school when / first went into office
At that time you had two high schools
one on each side of the town. in what
seemed to ME rather unfortunate
condition. Il did not rank the work
of the pupils as strong. felt at that
time that some of the teachers
employed were weak Since that
time / have visited your school ]
think twice in your new quarters and
have observed the work of the various
teachers. l have been impressed
with the steady growth in organiza-
tion, the growth in interest on the
part of the pupils, and The high
character of teachers employed. From
what have seen and from what /
have heard also, feel that your
school takes rank with the best
schools of the state.
Yours cordially.
f. E. DoTY,
High School Inspector.
High Standard in Selection Of Teachers
The high school has been able to
reach and maintain its high standing
principally because of the wise policy
Of the Board of Education in the en-
ployment of teachers. 1t has been
the policy of the Board to insist upon
at least college or university educa-
tion Of all high school teachers. In
several eases we have had teachers
who had also done graduate study.
We have several high school teachers
who have had both the Normal School
and the University Education. To-
day when the modern high school is
fully the equal OF the college of few
years ago, it is essential that all
teachers in our high school have the
board preparation and thorough train
ing represented by college or univer-
sity course. Ii the school is to
maintain its high standing abroad
and to render its full value to it's
pupils, no less qualification can safely
be permitted in it's teachers.
The Board of Education has also
realized the fact that education alone
does not always guarantee that a
person will succeed in teaching boys
and girls. 1t las, therefore, been the
policy of the Board to employ only
those, who in addition to possessing
the required educational qualitica-
tions, have demonstrated elsewhere
their ability to teach school. In our
high school to-day majority of our
teachers have served successful
apprenticeship in teaching in otEer
high schools before coming to us.
In MANY cities the construction of
new building has been followed by a
cutting of salaries and The consequent
employment of a cheaper and poorer
grade of teachers. Such a policy
inevitably means poorer schools.
While the fine buildings and excellent
equipment do much for school and
make better work posSible-after all
it is the teacher that makes the school.
Grand Rapids is to be congratulated
on maintaining as high a standard for
high school teachers as for building
and equipment.
In selecting teachers for the grades
the Board of Education has pursued
an equally wise policy. The Board
has insisted that all grade teachers
possess the professional training
represented by graduations from full
course of State Normal school. The
work required to-day is more varied,
for new subjects have been introduced
in the course. Better results, requir-
ing more skill than ever before, are
demanded in all subjects. In view of
these facts the qualifications
demanded are as low as is consistent
with good schools. Teaching is coming
to be recognized as professionals
such demands professional training
the same as law, medicine or any other
profession.
Teachers Selected for Merit Only.
Better than all else in the selection
of both high school and grade
teachers, the sole purpose of the
board has been to secure the best
persons for the positions. Whether
or not the person resided in the city
or had friends in the city-or was
and needed the position-has as far
as / am aware played no part what
ever in determining who should be
elected. The sole test has been the
candidates ability to teach school
1t is at just this point that the
school system of many cities in
Wisconsin permeated with real graft.
the selections of teachers because of
the friends they have-not the merit
they possess at teachers. This graft
of the most perniciouS sort for it's
evils directly affect large numbers
of helpless children. The selection
of teachers is the heart of the school
system and should be Sac"edly
guarded by all who have the best
interests of the school or the cOmmu-
at heart.
Teachers Meeting.
Vital as it is that the best teachers
be selected it is of equal Importance
that those who teach grow steadily in