Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-15
THE TEACHERS SIDE LINE.
WAYS in Which 1t May Not Interfere
With His Efficiency.

Fro u the Chicago Tribune.
The profession OF teaching is one which
attracts many people as means Of getting
a little money ahead for embarkatlon IN
some other vocation In life Its ranks,
therefore are constantly changing. as Jaw
medicine, business or Housekeeping taxes
those who never had any serious INTENTION
OF following 1t permanently many
teacher seeks some additional occupation IN
the direction of his inclinattons, perhaps
with the idea ultimately of giving up the
one for the other The smal,ness of the
average salary is the real reason for this
condition of things Even where one has
definitely decided to make teaching the lire
work there is always the temptation TO give
a little time to something else. Sometimes
the interest is purely that of natural tond-
ness: sometimes # is financial and beset
with certain dangerous tendencies
For example there Is no doubt that
there are many teachers and principals VINO
are in the pay of book companies and schooi
furnishing houses. their influence belng pur-
chased for cash. this influence being exerted
I'm converse ton. in addresses at institutes
or in friendly advice to school boards. il
would be Impossible to hazard a guess at
the extent of such substituting, ana uleIe
can be no doubt that the practice i repe
hensibIe in the extreme. 1t is one or tne
Great evils connected with American educa-
ton. -. 90 a s,da
IL is possible 10 conceive. also. or a sloe
Vine in connection with which a teacher
might attempt TO use his aequalhti"ce
gained through the school room in trying 10
work ND business as an agent or some kuo,
a condition always unpleasant ana some
times highly Objectionable. principal act
ing as agent for an insurance company, Tor
example might use undue and improper
suggestions in trying to get some OF ms
subordinates TO take out policies IN his par
ticular company. promoter, likewise
might make himself offensive and disagree
able II he were TO use his position In the
schools as a vantage ground for approach
ing his fellows or the parents OF his pupils
There is another aspect OF the case, now
ever which is entirely different. WheTe
teacher remains in one position year sIteI
year teaching the same subjects over a,iu
over again using much the same materials
there is the greatest danger of narrowness
side line may he the salvation OF many
snIendid instructor. patch OF ground
where small gardening is done; a larger
tract approaching the dignity OF farm;
coop hlled with favorite varieties OF rows
or even a case of butterflies and beetles.
with its accomps nIment Of net and long
walks I'm search of new specimens, may be
lust the thing needed to relieve the mihn
from the tedium of the school room ana
make IL all the better fitted for the serious
work of the daily routine.
Nor is the possession of private means
perhaps the result OF years of saving, de-
structIve of good work In the teachers
chair. A weil-to-do man or woman, witn
wise investments. may be the most effective
IN the class room and the best IN influence
over pupils The real test of the side lin,
should be this: Does II interfere with tn
efficiency of the teacheri That being an
swered In the negative. no one has AM
special reason for complaint.