The Holly chieftain., 1914-09-18
THE RURAL TEACHER
Bears Heavy Burden Of
Civilization.
BY Peter Raoford
Lecturer National Farmers Union


creased educational facilities and the
impulse OF universal education which
Is sweeping the country calls for In
tellgent and cOnsecrated leadership
In our rura! 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
10 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 q cog In
the vast wheel of educational machin-
cry; in the country he is the wheel.
II Is he who must mold the character,
inspire the ideals and shape the des-
tiny OF the farm boys and girls, and
II 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.
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 individualsm 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 1t 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 a 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
a 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
Tered him as 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
tractive side OF farm life, and to real.
ize 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 H 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
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 lnstructing
the parents on matters OF community
interest. 1t is related that a success
full young teacher in remote local
ity had weekly meetings attended by
parents OF his pupils, which finally
evolved into a school 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
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 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
principles of successful
life.
Farming Is business proposition
md the farmer is the biggest business
nan in business.