Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1905-11-11
SCHOOL MATTERS.

The following is a circular letter
which county superintendent Vigness
has recently issued to the teachers of
Burleigh county: 81. assA
Dear Teacher: As superintendent
of schools I have now visited every
district in the county and 1t might
seem in order that I should begin to
put into writing some Of my observa-
tons for our mutual benefit No
doubt many of our more progressive
teachers will appreciate circulars of
this order from time to time.
have found you teachers busy in
your respective schools. Some of you
do better work than others. Some
take more interest than others, but
feel that on the whole you are all try
ing the best you can and that is all
we ask. have noted some excellent
features about your work and then
again some features that might stand
improving. have some times called
attention to some of these things but
in all cases with the best OF Intentions.
have endeavored to avoid all offense
and am pleased to know that nearly
all teachers have taken kindly to such
suggestions. But let me herewith in
a general way call attention to some
points wherein I find so many teach.
ers lacking. ks..:
First. The teachers systematic ex-
ecution Of her work. You have your
daily program: Be sure to follow this
with scrupulous care both as to time
and classes.
Second. I find so many of our
teachers deficient in discipline. You
may not notice it so much as visitor
does. To illustrate: I enter a school
room. The pupils all seem very busy.
Some whisper, some must have a
drink, others have explorations to
make under their seats, another must
go out doors, several have sheets of
paper that must be rolled into a ball
and deposited somewhere, and not one
appears to know that there is any
thing in particular to do. There is
constant buzz and noise but the
teacher does not note any disorder.
One class is called forward after an
other in the midst of the confusion
and the recitation reveals what might
be expected. This school is positive
detriment to the children and worse
than waste of money to the district.
Let US change the scene I 60 to
the next school. My entering does
not cause curiosity. The children are
all seated and quietly working. No
one feels at liberty to leave their seats
without consenting sign from the
teacher and this is not given pro-
miscuously. Papers and states are
handled with the least amount of
noise. There is nothing about this
school that CRATES upon the nerves of
anybody. The children are all busy,
cheerful and considerate. The recita-
tons show the results In being inter-
esting to both pupil and teacher. l
find life in this school of the right
kind. No one feels under restraint,
the stiffness is that of pleasant, ener-
getic work.
Here are two schools contrasted.
They may be extremes but they are
what, the teachers have made them.
One is totally deficient in discipline
and the entire school is as a conse-
quence a farce. The other shows the
result of teachers executive force
through tact and personal magnetism.
Which do you prefer? Your school is
somewhere between these extremes.
which one? Teachers, study the art
of school management for that is the
first essential trait of genuine
teacher. 81 ~ :.,.s t$5.@., ID
Third. Allow no Interruptions dur
ing recitations. In some schools l
find children in the habit of spelling
words for the teacher to pronounce,
and this communication must be car
ried on across the room and that even
during recitations! Believe me, this
Is an absolute waste Of time. Chill
dren do not learn to recognize words
in this way. Furthermore, you cannot
divide your attention between your
class and other matters at the same
time and do your class justice. Put
your entire being into the work before
you and when that is finished, devote
few moments to individual work be-
fore you call the next class.
This letter may contain language
that sounds severe, but remember it is
all intended for your welfare and for
the betterment Of our schools through
better work on your part. It is all
given with the best of intentions and
trust 1t will be received by you In
the same spirit. Very truly, .
G. L. Vigness,