Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1914-09-04
THE RURAL TEACHER
Bears Heavy Burden Of
Civilization.
BY Peter Radford


Lecturer National Farmers Union A
With the new development of rural
life. there comes the demand for In
creased educational facilities and the
impulse of universal education which
is sweeping the country calls for In
telligent and -consecrated leadership
in pur rural schools. 1t is upon the
rural teacher that one of the heaviest
burdens of civilization falls, for not
only must he lay the foundation of
education, but he must also instill in
to the pupils the real love for country
life, which will hold them on the
farm and help to stem the downward
tide.
In the city, the teacher Is . cog in
the vast wheel of educational machin-
cry; in the country he is the wheel.
1t is he who must mold the character,
inspire the ideals and shape the des-
tiny of the farm boys and girls, and
if he is fitted by nature for the task.
not only will the results of his eff
forts be reflected in the pupils, but
gradually the whole community will
be leavened with a new ambition for.|
progress. -. @.a
He can organize around the SCHOOL,
the main interests of the boys and
operation, which in time will displace
the old competitive. individualism and
make rural social life more congenial
and satisfying. The possibilities for
making the rural school the social
and economic center of the commun-
ity are almost endless, and the facul-
ties Of the rural teacher may have
full play, for it will take all his time
and ingenuity if he attains the full
measure OF success.
Must Be Community Leader.
A noted college professor recently
said that three things are now re-
quired of rural teacher. The first
requirement is that he must be strong
enough to establish himself as. a lead
er in the community in which he lives
and labors; second, that he must have
good grasp on the organization and
management Of the new and scientific
farm school and, third, that he must
show expert ability in dealing with
the modern rural school curriculum.
If he lives up to the Opportunities of
fored him as a rural leader, he will
train boys and girls distinctly! for
rural life, not only by giving them
the rudiments of agricultural training.
but by enabling them to. see the at
tractiye side of farm life, and to real:
ize that it is a scientific business, and |
one of the most complex of all pro.
fessions with opportunities as great
as those OF any other calling.
"schooi for Parents" Needed.
The duties of the rural teacher are
more varied and complicated than
those OF the city teacher, and he some
times has to include the parents in
directing his efforts for the best re.
suits. In communities where the old 1
er population is opposed to any. de-
parture of the younger generation
from established customs in either
social or economic life, their cooper
alton can often be secured by calling
community meetings and instructing
the parents on matters of community
interest 1t is related that a success
full young teacher in "a remote local.
ity had weekly meetings attended by
parents Of his pupils, which finally
evolved into q school for parents"
in which they were taught 'fowto y Is
a community life in its broades
biggest sense go :; 60 ID.
= fss sf3s a. vs4sis.y ..
Z Social Features EssentIaLt g., =
The successful rural school is -the
vital social and economic center of
the community and the successful
rural teacher Is the one who realizes
that the responsibility Of training To-
cal leaders for the future devolves
upon him. Organized play, inter
community athletics, community fes-
rivals. lyceum and debating clubs, Y.
NJ. C. AS, with occasional neighbor.
hood entertainments, utilizing home
talent, contests in cooking and various
other phases of home economics, in
! corn and hog clubs and other agricul-
tural activities are few Of the meth
DDS empolyed by the successful rural
teacher in stimulating interest and
enthusiasm WHILE teaching them the
fundamental principles Of successful
community life. az
i Farming is business propositfSh
and the farmer is the bfRiee5t business