Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1907-07-10
Shortage of Teachers

'Inat there is a shortage of efficient
teachers Is tact tnat needs put TO DE
mentioned. 1t is the experience of school
executives in all sections OF this country
that there are not enough good teachers
available to meet the demand. In every
system of public education the problem
oil eliminating weak teachers Is met by
another very serious question: Where can
boards of education secure well trained,
thoroughly equipped persons, with the
81 aces of character and executive quail
ties the service of education demands, to
take the places of the negative inefficient
or poorly trained who should be excused
from service?
1.-The work of the teacher is with intel
lectual and moral forces. Because of the
siowness OF the processes of mental and
physical growth and development the
real worth of the one who stimula ties.
guides and controls the activity of chill
rem and youth is not quickly, In many
the efficient teacher who builds for the
life that now Is, and, in my belief, for
the life to be-. by his power and, skill, is
recognized but too seldom in that sub
stantial way to encourage others to rem
der the fullest measure of service they
have the capacity to give.
THE profession of teaching Is not at
tlaetive to many men who know too well
that the schoolmaster is not generally
held in high esteem In worldly sense by
business men. He views the question in
the SchoolmaSter narrow way, Is said
so often that many capable young stu
dent, wishing to be thought a person of
affairs and "a man among men, turns
away from the preparation for teaching
and seeks employment in other lines of
effort.
Must Interest Pupils
mo teacher with all the graces of a
personality which attracts and charms,
with college training that opens and
diSposes the mind to an appreciation of
the necessary relation of things and in
:, 'mpethetic communion with the large
riO! lens OF ethical conduct, is held to be
Il. 10 teach unless he or she is able to
stimulate. guide and control boys and
girls so thai tG@y will like school and put
pie as rule, ar. wiring to give for ex-
pert service, tho only kind of service
profitable in the school room. has, not
kept pace with the professional standards
erected. Consequently q comprehensive
and adequate professional trE ming under
effective guidance does not offer the same
attractive returns to the teacher many
other lines of technical education present,
I'm many sections of the nation. espe-
clally in the south, women belonging, to
the oldest and most aristocratic families
ir the social life of the community and
very often live at home. Their splendid
womanhood makes it's appeal to the good
sense and affections of single men. The
story is too we'll known to be told here:
Splendid teachers, noble and beautiful
women, often naturally lay aside, the work
of the school room to grace home and
assume the duties of wifehood.
"Other considerations. | regret to ad-
init, are far reaching in producing a
shortage of real teachers. The uncertain
tenure of position has caused many 81
noble person to turn from the most inn
portant work of the age, that of public
education. The idea. public office is
and women who have spent long and pa
tent years in making preparation for re-
sponsible duties that are sometimes as
signed to favored but incompetent per-
Politics in the School
"The baneful workings Of machine poll
tics and politicians put many splendid
teachers out of business They become
disguised with the unfairness and UNI
certainty of the outcome where the in
terests of the children are counted as
naught against the interests of parties or
Americas noblest educators belittled and
besmirched because they could not hon
estIy bow to the dictates of politicians.
in the work of educational administration
who at some period in his professional
history has not felt the force of political
organizations standing against the ihign-
"Some few politicians stand for chill,
drer's rights Such men. guide political
movements Alright and i insist It ina snat tine the
ali elements that tend to destroy their
usefulness. There are great centers IN the
United States where public sentlment IN
snhools and the heartest good will toward
s sd,,cotion are to be paramount. God
sneed the time when good teachers, with
Professional training and character will
feel secure in their position and reap de;
served earthly rewards Tor outies wen
Rev. Clifford w. Barnes, chairman Of
the international committee on moral
training. delivered an eloquent ADDRESS on
s'N1nrai Education " During the course of
his remarks the speaker was interrupted
frequently by outbursts Of applause. ana
at the conclusion of his speech received an
ovation.