Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1907-12-13
TEACHERS SALARIES In
RURAL SCHOOLS

THE FOLLOWING PAPER WAS READ
ATTHE EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE
| IN ROANOKE, BY HON. JOHN W. TODD
OF THIS COUNTY.
Thanks to the agitation started and
continued throughout Virginia by our
| State board, and the friends of public
education, teachers in rural schools
are receiving better salaries the pres
ent term than ever before. 1t will be
admitted by all that present salaries,
even where increased, are inadequate.
aud should be materially raised before
the next school term. How to grade
salaries in rural schools is different,
and more difficult, question, and one
upon the answer of which we will,
perhaps, not be so generally agreed.
Three considerations, at least. are
factors In arranging a schedule OF
salaries in rural schools; 1st. the grade
of the teachers certificate; 2nd, the
teachers experience; 3rd, the work to
be done. Other matters may enter
into the question, but we will consider
these in the order named.
First. The grade of the teachers.
certificate. 1t is not always the case
that the first grade teacher is better
teacher than her cousin who holds only
a second grade. Superintendent and
trustees know only too we'll that some
first grades have been very decided
failures, while some of their most sue.
cessful teachers have held only second
grade certificates. Nor should we lose
sight of the fact In considering the
relative value Of these grades that a
majority of those holding first grade
certificates in Virginia at this time
have never stood an examination up
on some subjects on which teachers
are now required to pass in order TO
obtain a certificate of that grade. No
doubt if all teachers were required to
stand an examination on all subjects
now on the list many excellent teachers
who have taught successfully for years
on first grade certificates would find
their certificates reduced. The grade
of certificate must be considered,
however, in fixing the salary schedule,
otherwise one strong incentive for
striving for first grade Will be elimi.
mated, for why struggle for higher
grade if the salary is no more. The
ambitious teacher will not be satisfied
with anything short of the highest
grade. and this worthy ambition
should be encouraged by proper and
reasonable difference in salary.
Second. Successful Experience. In
all lines of business faithful employe
are encouraged from time to time by
an advance in wages. Teachers as
they gain experience are capable of
better work. To know that the salary
the next year will be better will be a
most satisfying stimulus. Necessari
ly there must be stopping place, but
certainly for the first three. or five.
years there should be an annual in
crease in salary.
Third. The Work and Conditions.
Every teacher has her trouble, and
each will think her work most onerous
Nevertheless there are differences
known to the trustees which justify
moro pay In one position than another.
1t may be on account of the studies
taught; number enrolled; higher cost
! of board in certain localities, etc. 1t
is not meant that teachers should I'M
der any circumstances receive less than
they are entitled tc for their grade Of
certificate and experience, but pecl.ia,r
conditions may well justify discrim-
ination in favor of certain teachers.
For instance, teacher has an aptness
for work In first primary grade; she
has been eminently successful in that
department. But she has only a sec.
ond grade certificate, having failed
perhaps on Ancient History. or Alge-
bra, subjects she will never be called
upon to teach. Under these circum-
stances her efficiency is not impaired,
and her salary should not be reduced.
Just as competent for the work she is
doing, and doing it equally as we'll, she
should receive as much as a first
grade in another department. By the
way, if layman may say it, our state
board of examiners will do we'll il
they will modify the present system Of
uniform examinations so as not to re.
quire primary teachers to stand ar
examination upon high school subjects
such as Ancient History and Algebra
which they must now take in order to
obtain first grade certificates, a fea
ture which seems unreasonable and
unfair.
Grading teachers salaries in rura
schedule according to merit would bt
an ideal system. Possibly the time
will come when it may be done in Vir
ginia. Under existing conditions The
district school board that undertook tt
pass into the individual merit of any
considerable number of teachers would
find their position not altogether 6
happy one.
Jap Spy at Fort Monroe.