The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-10-14
Qualifications of
[ teachers

married who had been employed
teacher in the public schools of New
York recently dropped from the roll be-
cause she had become a mother In conse-
quence there is outcry from certain sources
against the board of education who accused
Of 'penallzing motherhood The Tribune
prints a cartoon representing woman with
babe in arms, standing before the bar, with
the judges saying 10 her You may marry, but
you must not bear children"
What nonsense Is this
There is no sentiment about this thing; It's
a cold-blooded proposition. A mother Of a
child less than a year old can't be a good
teacher, and those who hire her accounta-
BILE to the public that she serves said Abraham
Stern, a member Of the board.
The board members cannot in justice to their
constituents take any other view. If they think
that a with infant cannot give a
satisfactory service, they would be unfaithful
to the public interest to retain her services as
teacher.
-Me-Wnnder- If the Tribune unt.4a-aat- a
the position in regard a woman en-
ployed in a responsible position in that es-
adjustment. We wonder If the Tribune
would employ a mother with an infant child
as star reporter"
of course we must not be understood as
saying that mothers should be debarred as
teachers in the public schools. A woman with
children of her own is all the better qualified
to teach the children of Others. 1t is not a
I
TO give adequate service Can a woman who
has nursing infant at home needing her ten
der ministrations render good service in the
schoolroom? If she can, the possession Of a
new baby should not debar her. But the prob
abilities against her.
The fact Is that the personal equation and
sentimental considerations enter too far into
the selection of teachers. The schools for
the education Of children, net, to give occupa-
ton TO teachers That is of the weak points
in the public school system Private schools
employ teachers their merit. and If an ap-
plicaton for position be not well qualified the
/ application is rejected, 1t is not always in
the selection of teachers for the public schools.
1t is too often the that fayoritism is shown
1T is too often the that political pull has
much to do with the selection of teachers in
the public schools and by this process some go
in who should he kept while other more
competent rejected.
There is hidden meaning in this. The
writer has particular case in mind. But
the general proposition is true, as Illustrated
hv the cutlery that is raised in New York. Sem
timent and unbusinesske consideration have
too much to do with choosing the teachers.
Teaching is fine art, Teaching is also mat
ter Of temperament. Not every educated per-
son Is teacher; nos by any means And there
is no position in tho public service quite so
important teacher in the public schools.
Those whom the people have appointed fill
such positions much not be Influenced by any
consideration that of fitness, We must
get away from the notion that this of that per-
son has particular claim on a position
in the public school service. That is political
proposition, pure and simple; that is the rule
of the spoils system. The people pay taxes
teachers. and they have the right to expect,
they have the right to demand, that teachers
be engaged their merit, and not on their
influence. Newport News Press,