The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-11-28

occupation Every school IN this State
should run at least seven months IN the
year. The best interests OF teacher and
pupil alike demand this.
Better Paid Teachers
Then. as previously stated. the pay Of
.he teachers Of this State should be in
been paying the poorest salaries OF any
state. Seventy-seven per cent. OF our
teachers are women. and until this pres
ent session their yearly average salary
Was only $l9L14 The cost OF living has
greatly increased in all directions and
yet We expect our female teachers TO live
on that paltry sum SO small IS the com
pensauon paid In comparison 20 other
occupations that our male teachers have
been reduced from So per cent IN 1876 20
. per cent last year II this rate OF
decrease continues. the male teacher in
Virginia VIII soon be an extinct species.
, or the work done, the responsibility
imposed. the capacity required. the school
teachers Of Virginia are the poorest paid
persons IN the state know the mental
worries. the physical discomforts. the
eNactng work that a conscientious teach
or must undergo.
was a public school teacher, or rather
/ ran a country nursery. for II seemed
70 me in those days that every person
IN the community who had a child too
pad 20 keep at home. and they were too
sungy 10 hire nurse for IL. sent il 10
me 10 nurse during my school hours l
have always felt that the thirty dollars
paid me was not half compensation FOR
nursing those infants and teaching thar
school My heart goes out TO the poorly
paid teachers of Virginia. and 7 pledge
Them 70 use all tho power OF my Office
al.u al the influence possess 70 have
their salaries made commensurate with
the compensation derived from other vo-
cations
The Teachers Influence.
The best interest OF the State requires
this. In the end, the success Of every
Magnificent school structures, splendidly
EQUIPPED rooms, are but dead objects
until ilumined BY his personality. Scant
and barren rooms can be made TO glow
with his enthusiasm and CLEAN with his
genius All that surrounds him is bur
an environment OF which he is the soul;
the books 10 the children are mera rub
Dish until their Interpreter reveals their
wonderful treasure. Ambition lies dor
mant In the young mind until some teach
er rams the nreS OF aspiration, and makes
them flame with the hope Of achievement
Next 10 the mother, n chnd's life his
mental and moral faculties and aspira-
tons. are more fixed by his teacher than
all other influences combined The bent
and Impressions then given continue
through life. There are about nine thou
SANDS teachers and professors In this
state, and. next TO the mothers OF Viz
glnla, these persons are the most pOten-
tial OF all factors in shaping the lives
IN forming the mental and moral quail
ties of the rising generation. IN whose
hands lies the future destiny OF this great
commonwealth. I wish 10 impress upon
the trustees OF this State that more i'm
portant than the erecting Of magnificent
school buildings. the purchase OF fine
equipment, Is the procurement Of capable
and competent teachers It Is folly to
spend thousands of dollars in the cree
ton Of a handsome building 10 be occu-
pied by worthless teachers. The best and
most lastine results that will accrue from
the expenditure OF school money will be
that given TO get competent teachers.
One person makes novels out 90 '|n
same material OF which another builds
palaces one teacher can take a school
practically destroyed by another. and by
tact. force and genius form Of il a school
pre-eminently noted for success and effi-
cheney I'm every respect. Brick and NOR
tar are brick and mortar until the skill
full architect makes ont OF them the Sill
perb structure which is the wonder and
admira ton Of succeeding generations. All
childhood IS crude and plastic ma teral
until transformed by some great instruc-
Tor into the magnificent character. whose
genius and achievements illumine forever
the pathway of human endeavor.
Virginia's Future in Teachers
Hands.
Modern Germany, with her amazing
progress. her rapid growth and great
ness Is the product Of her teachers From
a nation poor and despised. Germany, by
eminent teachers and education. has
forged 70 the front rank Of material
power and possibilities. II the future
Virginia II TO be as respondent as her
mas al ha