The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1905-07-07
NEW PROFESSION FOR WOMEN
Il 10 Teaching Domestic Science
Training Schools Crowded.


II 10 Teaching Domestic Science
Training Schools Crowded.
Among all the professions now open,
few attract larger number Of women
than the teaching of domestic science,
says writer in the Pilgrim. All the
training schools are crowded with stu
dents, and for every vacancy in the
profession there are numberless appli-
cants, yet it is difficult to meet with
really good teachers.
This is largely due to the very
prevalent idea that anyone can take
up cookery or dressmaking, and girls
are sent to be trained on the same
principle which actuated the man who
put his son into the church because he
was too stupid for anything else. This
is a great mistake. Not only must a
teacher be possessed Of robust health
and quick intelligence, but she must
be deft with her fingers. She must ac-
quire the art Of managing and inter-
esting a class Of children, and also be
able to adapt herself to classes Of
adults Of all grades of society; she
l
laundress or dressmaker, and then
learn how to teach others.
| For example, in cookery demon
stration the teacher has both to do the
work in given time methodically and
well, and at the same time to keep
her audience interested by explaining
the why and the wherefore Of each
process, and, in the case of children,
to keep order besides.
A few facts as to the training to
be undergone, and the nature of the
work, may be helpful in deterring the
unfit and guiding those who, after due
consideration, wish to take up the
work.
First, then, as to the training. The
subjects included under the general
term domestic economy" embrace
cookery; laundry work, plain sewing,
dressmaking and housewifery, supple
mentary subjects often taken bein,
millinery, hygiene and sick nursing.
OF these, cookery and dressmaking
are the most important. On common.
cling her training, a student should Sc
lect at least three Of these, of which
one should be cookery, as otherwise
she will have no chance Of obtaining q
good post.
In some schools several subjects are
taken simultaneously, in others they
must be taken separately. In any cast
the minimum time for training in tire,
or four subjects is two years.
AS cookery is ranked as chief sub
ject, takes the longest training ant
|. is the most difficult and physicall.
:. trying, few particulars as to tn,
training will give an idea Of what 1
required.
= The student, of course, begins b.
> learning to cook, three hours eacl
. morning being devoted to practica
: work. In the afternoon she must al
tend demonstration lessons and classe
= for children given by qualified teach
:, ers, and later on she will have frs
to assist and then take classes for prae
l, tice under critical supervision; ever
ing classes have sometimes to be al
, tended for the same purpose. Sculler
work and marketing also form part Q
the course. In addition to this goo
!, deal of theory has to be learned, tn
:, subjects for examination including
the principles of cookery, (2) the chen
stry Of food and cookery, 81 the thu
:, DRY and practice Of teaching. Cand
dates are sometimes required to hol
science and art certificates for ell,
- mentary hygiene and the special il
truductory course.