The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-11-18

it is possible TO raise. but IL IS absolutely
necessary for tho Mayor and the CITY
Council 90 Keep down expenses below
what would boz a reasonable outlay. 10
sufficient money We're az hand
Tho other side or the matter which APP
pea to the puhnc-sDirl-ed citizen is this.
Richmond IS prosperous and wealthy
city. Why should it not have the best
school buildings. pay its teachers salaries
liberal enough 20 prevent the best teach
ers from leaving TO get larger salaries
elsewhere. and conduct al the departments
OF the city in an efficient but liberal waye
Is there something wrou- somcwhere7 Is
there some fact not included in tho state
mcnt of either side OF tho question: II 500
A. would Doe we'll TO lind it
Regarding tine school board. 7 raise ono
question for your consideration II is this.
The board has 20 vast array of facts rc-
Earding an school matters aud good
many ideas and plans for the improve
ment OF tho schools. Particularly in this
matter OF schoolhouses il has "a deep fn-
terest and fun information. Can the en-
lshtc0ed public sentiment OF Richmond
do something 70 give this information. this
Influence. these plans. a better chance for
fruiton. TO the great benefit OF the
schools?
Whi- about the supervision. particular
non the superintendent Of schools has
ideas which should receive the support of
public sentiment. The degree of excel
lence maintained bv the public schools is
due in q very large measure 20 the work
and influence % che teachers many OF
whom keep themselves fully informed on
al phases OF modern educational thought
and practice. To improve the efficiency
OF the teaching force is the aim 90 every
superintendent. Assuming that the prevail
Ing methods OF instruction are correct.
the only way 10 reach the pupils and Inn
prove tho schools is through the teachers
ADV citizeu who has never visited one
of our schools and seen the work and
felt The atmosphere and influence of "a
srhoo room in charge Of an able ana
devoted teacher has missed creat in-
spirauon. To one who has become fa-
ma lar with the work OF our best and
most progressive teachers. the question
arises. how may the body Of taachers ass
q whole bc permcated with the spirit OF
those who. by natural endowment and
devotion % the profession. are recognized
leaders?
Two elomevts tending to determine the
quality Of the teaching force are. Train
ing Including education and experience.
selection involving "A knowledge and a
Judgment of tile personality OF the teach
er Two conditions favorable to the best
work o. good teacher are. Suitable
environment. including properly COM
structed and well-vontilatcd srhool-r0oms
suitable books apparatus. models and
the Ike, and "a consciousness of SYM
pathetic support hy officials. parents and
the public generally You may properly
ask where the teachers are educated. and
what has been their experience; and may
study the methods OF the normal schools
and the curucul8c OF preparatory schools
You may FOLLOW the appointments OF
the school Board and decide for your
selves regarding it's methods OF selection
of thc adequacy OF It's support in the WAY
of salaries. or otherwise This is the citi-
Gems privilege But do you not see that
aside from These questions there ls q
field of peculiar opportunity Dob the d.rec-
tion ot recognition, encouragement and
sympathy
The final word u.s. To- all education assoc
Citations. Reasons why such associations
should exist not only in cities. but in
each near and remote country district
have been shown in results that have boon
accomplished where such a-sorla IONS 1a
exist. The private citizen ln the country,
as wei as 'u the city. has "a privilege on
the pleasant and profitable lines OF recoe-
milton. Investigation. interest. encourug
meut and sympathy in the work
IL the private citizen does not feel an4
show this interest and the schools fan
below the standard t0 which he points bif
towards which be does moi helm attain
ment iet hln not severely criticize ii
mayor, or n city council. or school
hohrd. or corps OF teachers. but rather
let him help by interest .iud co-oucration
with them to obtain the best. which is
none too good for the schools of Nireini,
GEO l. ALDEN