The Meeker herald., 1914-12-05
THE RURAL TEACHER
Bears Heavy Burdss ef
Civilization.
oy Peter RaAfoed


Lecturer NAtiona: rarnssrs' Union
With the new development Of rural
life. there comes the demand for In.
creased educational facilities and the
impulse Of universal education which
ID sweeping the country calls for In
tellisent and consecrated leadership
In our rural schools. It u upon the
rural teacher that one Of tho heaviest
burdens Of civilization falls. for mot
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 townward
tide.
In the city, the teacher II cog In
the vast wheel Of educational machin-
cry; In the country he ts the wheel.
II IL he who must mold the character.
inspire the ideals and shape the deg
tiny Of the farm boys and girls. and
II he il fitted BY nature for ths task.
not only will the results Of his ef.
forts be reflected In the pupils. but
gradually the whole community will
be leavened with new ambition for
progress.
He can organize around the school
the main interests OF the boys and
girls and develop the impulse for Co
operation. which In time will displact
the old competitive individuallsm and
make rural social life more congental
and satisfying. The possibilities for
making the rural school the social
and economic center Of the commun-
ity are almost endless. and the facul-
full play. for 1t win take all Ills time
and ingenuity IL he cttains the full
measure Of success.
Must De Community Leader.
A noted college professor recently
said that three things are now 70
auired Of = rural teacher. The hrst
requirement II that he muxs be strong
enough to establish himself ~ lead
or in the community in which he lives
and labors; second. that he must have
q 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.
II he lives up to the opportunities of
fered him ~ Q rur-l 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 70 ses the At
tractive side Of farm life. and 70 real.
IL that II II . scientific business. and
one Of the most complex q al pro-
fsssions with opportunities ~ great
~ those of any other calling.
sseheel for parsnts" 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 10.
suits. In communities whore the old.
or population il opposed to any de-
partuTs Of the younger generation
from sstablishsd 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 IL related that success.
full young teacher In . remote local
| ity had weekly meetings attended BY
parents Of his pupils, which finally
evolved into = school for parents"
In which they were taught how 70 live
. community life In its broadest and
biggest sense.
Social Fsaturss Essential.
The successful rural school Is the
vital social and economic center of
the community and the successful
rural teacher IL the one who rsalises
that the responsibility Of training To-
cal leaders for the future devolvss
upon him. Organized play. inter
community athletics. community fss
tivals. lyceum and debating clubs. 7.
NJ. c. AS. with occasional neishbor-
hood entertainments. utilizing home
talent, contests In cooking and various
other phasea Of home economics, In
corn and hog cltrbs and other Asricui.
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.