The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-03-07
COOPERATION.

l Wish to divide this subject
into three divisions: First, the
teacher from a teachers stand
point; second, the teacher from an
outside view; third, the necessity
of cooperation.
1t is an adage that in union
there is strength. History records
many great undertakings made
possible by cooperation. The con-
federation of the New England
colonies protected them from the
scalping knife of the red men of
that community. The uniting of
the labor organizations has been
one OF the greatest agencies in
fighting aggressive capital that
this country has ever produced.
Furthermore, cooperation of the
state and the citizens with the col
leges of our land have made them
the institutions which they are to
day If this is true ofsuch under
takings which are so large, how
much more should it be true of the
common school, q subject in which
all should be interested.
Srz,
The writer believes that the
patrons of the schools are not
thoroughly acquainted with the
teachers work and the great re.
sponsihllity resting upon her.
Hence, let us look at the teacher
from a teachers standpoint, in all
sincerity and fairness, and note
some of the trials that confront
her. Let us follow a teacher as
she enters the school room and be-
gins her work with from thirty to
fifty pupils of all grades and of
various dispositions. She must
be governor, policeman, judge and
teacher all at the same time. She
hears from twenty five to thirty
five Rotations daily; she hears
each pupil recite from four to ten
times day, or about two hundred
One of the teachers greatest
troubles is to have the students in
regular attendance 1t is Just as
bad for a student to attend irregu.
larly as it would be for the teacher
to be absent several times week.
1t is impossible to do good work
with irregular students. They
will leave the school in the spring
knowing no more than when they
entered; then they say that the
teacher is mo good"
This is but one Of the many evils
with which the rural teacher has
to contend. He is also charged
with being lazy, for it is said that
no industrious person would teach
school. Furthermore, he is brand
ed as a county robber."
Then there is a class who are
opposed to the teacher because he
he cannot answer every question
that is brought to him; they for
get the adage that fool can an
swer a question that wise man
cannot answer. Often the teacher
is condemned because he does not
have better order in his school;
these same critics forget that the
teacher can not teach child to
behave who is permitted to act
like wild beast while in his own
home; his own parents cannot
keep him out of mischief. What
would these same parents do il
they had forty such mischief.
makers? However one of the
greatest hindrances | find to main
tanning order in my school is be-
cause the children are taught at
home not to obey the teacher.
Patrons are you aware of the
fact that the future government
of this country will some dav be
managed by those who are in the
school room today? The children
now in our care will some day
steer the ship of state. AS they
grow to manhood and to woman.
hood, they will take their place.
In the various fields. 1t may b.
the political, religious, or educa
. tional world; it matters not. From