The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1914-09-25
THE RURAL TEACHER
Bears Heavy Burden Of
Civilization.
BY Peter Radford.


With the neg 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 our 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 into
the pupils the real love for country
life, which will hold him on the
farm and help to stem the downward
tide.
In the city, the teacher is a 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 ef-
forts be reflected in the pupils, but
gradually the whole community will
be leavened with a 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 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 commu-
nifty are almost endless, and the facul-
ties of the rural teacher may have
full play, for 1t will take all his time
and ingenuity II 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 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
fered 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
tractlve side Of farm life, and to real
lie that it Is 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 10 include the parents In
directing lis efforts for the best re-
suits. In communities where the old
or 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 II is related that success
ful young teacher in remote local
ity had weekly meetings attended by
parents Of his pupils, which finally
evolved intp 'sehool for parents"
in which they were taught how to live
a community life In its broadest and
biggest sense.
Social Features Essential.
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-
tivals, 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 hos clubs and other agricul-
tural activities are few Of the meth
DDS employed by the successful rural
teacher in stimulating interest and
enthusiasm while teaching them the
fundamental principles of successful
community life.