The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-10-01
TEACHERS AND SCHOLARS
Some Of the Trials Of the Former.

-. Spotsy lvania, Va, sept. 2S, 1907.
To tir tr- Lame.
Another vacation has passed away.
ana ON Iues1ay. Oct. ist, teacher and
pupil OF Sppt~y wanna Co. meet once again
IN the recitation room. Both hO doubt
nave been benefited by the long play
spell the teacher toy travel, ?, a.. ing or
10y phy ~lcal labor. or toy the Attendance
oi SOME summer srhOOl. Il better pre-
pared than ever t1r coming toll aud
duty.
IL baiiles Imagination TO think Of our
great army of httle ones. running into
the millions. all hardening To the
SOUND oil the school going bell.
hen we think OF this host and the teach
ers who Instruct, we feel hopeful for the
iuture' Tor IN the long run growing intel
hgence Will subdue the hasry and IRA
tiOnal views OF public affairs and guide
the snip ui state In sale channels and
snug harbors
lis well Tor u To see on every hand
the TACT that the school master Is abroad.
IL the succeeds IN developing right moral
emotions "a well a. mental strength, the
Republic viii live 50 long a. there are
governments among men
% let us Tor moment drop adverse
criticism aud welcome the teacher to her
duties with words of cheer and en-
ourageInent, always giving her tue bene-
NJ OF doubt when any trouble arises.
'hildren have "a good deal OF old Adam
IN them, ana are not ALWAYS truthful
when they themselves are involved in "a
dlihculty. Every parent should hear both
slces ul any school controversy before
giving vent 60 anger. The teacher il ever
intent 10 dJ the best possible without
undue harshness, as his position depends
upon now he ple8ses the patrons OF the
schools and the board oi trustees. In
Nlhe cases out oi ten the teacher has been
lus1inei Ia her hcts IN dealing with un-
ruiy pupils. SO let the parent investi-
gate first, 10 see II he has any iu.t r,us.
ior complaint against the discipline IN.
child has been subjected TO.
| Oi course, our school system l. not An
Ideal one, but il is improving wear bv
Year, under wise and scientific criticism.
NOR progress might be- made il parents
TOOK "a greater sympathetic interest In
school affairs. Very few parents enter
the various school rooms to SEE what il
gong on, depending entirely on the
children's reports.
ne parent should not encourage child.
iSh criticisms Of tho teacher. Generally
bpys 90 not Ike school and consider the
Instructor as sort of tyrant. The
American boy Is "a rebel from the cradle
up. he resents wholesome restraint and
taxes greater delight in breaking "A resu-
lation than 10y obeying IT, Parents find
II hard TO keep In order and good con
duct their small flock OF two or three and
20 should not expect miracles from a
teacher with twenty To forty children Of
AL ages, dispositions, and often suffering
from bad OF Indifferent home training
The spoiled, over-indulged and disobedi-
ent boy at home wants to be such In the
school room. One OF the very objects OF
the school is it, discipline. in teaching
obedience TO law, the curbing of self will.
the practice OF promptness, "A recognition
oi the rights of Others. and so on. Anv
parent who does not recognize this broad
purpose Is making "a " oeful mistake.
So let us all begin the new session in
the best ol humor. with the intent To
give the teacher square deal at all
times. II We act in this way. the com
ing boy will be better instructed and his
parents most happy
Verona c. PoOre.