The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-01-24
THE MATTER WITH TEACHERS.

Several weeks ago reference was
made in these columns to an article
in the Worlds Work in which a teach
er confessed to an intense dislike for
her calling and declared this to be the
common feeling among the members
Of the profession. In the February
number OF the same magazine edito.
tiers have been received from teachers
in response to the article and disput-
ing its assertions, but that most of
them really prove the contention they
criticise. One is published which
seemed most fairly to represent the
protestants. because it is almost the
only one that has the quality of en-
thusiasm and inspiration. The writ
err of it processes to love her work and
to be contented with it, She finds
her reward in the progress of her pu-
pills and their recognition. sooner or
later Of her efforts in their behalf 1t
will probably not be very convincing
to teachers who are not contented.
Another contributor, this one a man,
who is principal of high school,
after frankly acknowledging that a
large number of teachers are low spir.
tied and hate their job, discusses the
causes of this attitude, and his views
are interesting. He blames the pub
lie. for one thing. saying:
The public might treat the teachers
better. 1t tells the min ceremonial
addresses that they are performing the
highest kind of work on earth-and 1t
tells them on the pay rolls that they
are doing the cheapest public service
known. 1t ridicules them in litera
ture, on the stage and in the newspa-
pers. Every cartoon picturing a
schoolma' am shows her to be "a
fright" The town is cheating itself
out of a good part of it's school taxes
by failing to take off his hat to the
girl behind the desk. The happiness
of a teacher is like the sweetness Of
the water supply. There is no Other
public servant whose state of mint
matters very much.
superintendent, Of whom he ha:
been one. are also to blame, he says
They lose their human side and tn.
question of how it feels to be teach
or and receive directions does not flint
room in their minds. They are to,
much a part of the machine, and "th,
perfection Of the machine" says tn
writer, frankly, has impaired educa
ton. The teachers are themselve
largely at fault for their lack Of joy
the principal thinks. They forge
that happiness does not come of itself
like the gas man with his bill !
teacher must 60 and see it. 1T i
wicked" he declares. ito spend s,
much time and energy putting re,
marks en- answer papers if one has n
leisure left for fun
The teacher must do more than this
according to this principal if sh
would really enjoy life. She must no
only seek society. he says. she mus
put herself on the path to matrimony
adding in this connection:
1t is subject of common remarl
how many teachers have missed tn
boat. but when you come to Investigate
you find they did not even take tn
trouble to so down to the dock Hus
bands, homes and households, like 9th
err happiness. must be prospected for
Balls and dances notably increase mar
riages, SO the sociologists demonstrate
They also record that men in search O
mates do not visit scLoolrooms.
This rather remarkable advice from
a masculine source will probably b
taken due not Of by women who hav
been taught from childhood that it 1
unfeminine and improper to pros
pect' for husbands. and especially s.
for women engaged in the sacred call
ing OF instructing youth. At al
events it suggests an interesting
means OF escaping from the deadly mo
notony Of teaching. Yet after all thi
principal does not seem to get at tn
gist Of the matter. He suggests var