The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1907-11-07
IT Ell e SCHOOL
Problems of the District School
by Prof. Dinsmore.
Love as Factor in Teaching.

b his remarks on love. as a teacher should show
Il others of heir age.
to read after they were eighteen and
earned certificates before they We're
twenty-one One of the brightest
young lawyers of the state came TO
college" when he was seventeen and
was put in a primary grade. -Four
years served to complete the common
branches" and three more interspers-
ed with teaching, to graduate from a
higher course.
Many other like cases could be
given but these are sufficient to show
what can be done and to point the
way toward its accomplishment All
will not do equally wen but every
one should be given a chance to make
the most of his time and talents,
Another class needing large
amount of sympathy consists of those
who are very poor and in consequence
lack the necessities of school life
namely, books and clothing. The only
thing such children can have in album
dance is love and they ought not TO
be deprived of that tho it is often
denied them.
The district school is and should be
the most democratic institution in our
country. Here the rich and the poor
meet on equal terms. They sit side by
side. study the same lessons and re-
ceive the same instruction. Each one
stands upon his own merits without
regard to the kind of clothes he
wears or the wealth or social standing
of his parents. The talent of the poor
boy whether in the class or on the
playground is respected equally with
that OF the rich. Real success has no
favors to bestow upon either poverty
or wealth. 1t depends upon industry,
perseverance and nobility of oaarac-
ter. These cannot be bought with
money nor can the poor be deprived OF
them because Of their poverty.
If certain very poor children lack
books it is the teachers duty TO see
that they are supplied. This requires
tact. The poor are often extremely /
sensitive and viii quickly repel any .
proposition that appears TO reflect up
on their poverty. The children may 4
be told to ask their parents to supply
them with certain books. II after a
time they are not forth
coming It will be best to call upon the
parents and kindly suggest that the
children should have those books. If
they should frankly admit they are
too poor to buy them and their sur
bear out their statement
some offer Of assistance may be made.
1t may not be necessary or wise 10
use the district funds for the whole
amount. It is better for people 20
help themselves as far as possible.
There are not many people in the
so reduced that they cannot
afford the small sum necessary for 4
school books.
If the children are kept at home for
want Of clothing it is a still more del
cate matter. If the teacher is friend
y and appears to take real interest
IN the little ones the mother will ad-
nit that they lack suitable clothing
The matter may then be fully discussed
and the wisest course chosen. The one
great point should be adhered to. the
children must be in school, II
While we are caring for the little
)nes and for those who have advanced
% the second and third grades, the
,pes who are behind and pupils who
ack books and clothing, we must not
forget the bright and fortunate pupils.
some one may say they can take care
IF themselves. But that would not be
right. They are entitled to their share
Of attention and affection no less than
he others. 1t is sometimes urged
hat they will keep up anyway
whether they have the teachers as
sistance or not. Very likely they
would but the fact that they keep
up does not relieve the teacher from
the discharge Of his duty to them.
II they do well without assistance
they will do much better with 1t.
What farmer would neglect his best
stock to give all his time and care to
that which is less promisingg
I WeekA