Durango semi-weekly herald., 1905-11-30

" ~ lsk
not all like these. We have the broa
and liberal-minded men, who selet
their teachers with their best jud,
ment. Then they say, Go ahead an
show us what you can do. Men VIII
are ready to help with a word in tim,
who are anxious for the schools bes
welfare; who show the teacher n
much kindness as possible: VIII,
recognize that the man or woman VII,
mas made an especial study of teachin,
may possibly know a little more abou
1t than they do. So they consider III,
| teachers suggestions. They see thd
the school house has a new coat o
| paint inside as well as out; that tbs
1 desks are vanished occasionally and
janitor is provided to keep the room
! clean. So we have clean well kent
and in some cases even beautiful rural
| school rooms, for which the teach.y
and pupils are grateful for their
thoughtfulness and all do their bes,
W SHoW tuelr appreciation,
How to meet and deal with the var
lous directors, to work for the best in
terests of the children, and vet not
clash with the directors takes one
with considerable OF the politicia1.'s s
tact, knowledge of human nature and
plenty of moral courage.
The Patron.
And here the problems are nostly
the mothers. The mother of the GOOD
child, the delicate child. the bright
child. the dull child. the Indifferent
child. the tattling child. the thieving
child the lying child, but, worst OF all
is the mother of the perfect child.
Then we have the mother who has
taught school. the mother who has
theories. the mother who rules entire
by love, the mother VINO uses force
The nagging mothcr-oh. there are 80
many of them, and no two alike,
Now you need tact, cunning. firm.
ness, courage, and, most of all, com.
mon sense. For If the mothers are
well managed the children give no
trouble. And the first and most i'm
oortant step is to get acquainted with
the mothers. Don't wait until tncy
come to you. fualt finding; 90 and see
them first. And here you must keep
your courage and give the mother the
ruth. Don't be tempted to lie. Oh
YOU say, no teacher would do that, but
I've known them to do it and give an
different report to a childs
mother than they would give to a fel-
'ow teacher.
Study each mother and try to IN
lerstand her plan for the lives OF
her children, and interest her If pos.
sible in all your plans for the advance
ment of the cshool. Don't gossip with
her about the other pupils and don't
own children or child with the moth.
er to her hearts content No children
are SO interesting as her own, and Il
YOU can interest the mother of each
child in your plans you will find your
work made smooth indeed.
The Boarding Place.
Now, you want TO look out, for this
is one of the most troublesome prob
lens of the districts. And so often
the teachers boarding place is a mere
gossip exchange. The school is the
center of interest in the community,
so AS the neighbors drop in the school
and tine teacher are common topics oil
and all the peculiarities
Df the teacher are discussed there
then repeated by the visitor to 9th
ers. and so they grow So keep your
distance with your landlady, especial
ly concerning school affairs. If pos
sible don't board where there are
to attend school And don't
board with a director; 1t is SO easy
to discuss trivial problems until they
become of consequence. And don't
go TO the cheapest place in order to
save few dollars-that Is false econ
omy, as you may find out later that 1t
was cheap indeed. Select place
where the people are willing to at.
tend to their own affairs and permit
you to do the same. Then be sure to
secure such accommodations as will
be best for your health. For you must
be well if you would have your work
so smoothly. Then you must have
place to work free from Interruption
Don't stay in a place where there Is
constant friction among the members
OF the family. You need quiet, rest
ful atmosphere at home, else you
might catch the habit and then there
will be friction In your school room
Social Life.
The social lite OF the rural teacher
is hard problem indeed. II you stay
close to your boarding place and do
not attend the social gatherings oi
the community why you are criticised
for that. while if you attend them and
have d good time. some one else has
something to say. Then for the young
teacher there is the danger OF break.
ing down the reserve which the school
room requires, and so the larger pu-
pills grow familiar, with all the attend
| ant evils. How to supply congenial
and stimulating companlonship has
yet to be solved for me. or course
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