Cheyenne record., 1914-11-05
THE RURAL TEACHER
Bears Heavy Burden OF
Civilization.
ey Peter Radford
Lecturer National Fnrlncrs' Union


life, there comes the demand for In
impulse of universal education which
is sweeping the country calls for In
tclligeut 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 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 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 leavcned with new ambition for
progress.
lie can organize around the school
the main interests II 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 commun-
ity arc 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 CT Success.
r,iust Ec Community Leader.
A roted college professor recently
| said that three things are Eow re-
Quired Of rural teacher. Tho first
| requirement is that kc MUIR be strong
| enough tc establish himself as a lead
er in the community in which he lives
apd labors; second, TIT he must have
u good grasp On the organization and
| management Of tle 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 as a rural leader. he will
train boys and girls distinctly for
rural life. not only by giving them
the ruCiinents OF agricultural training
but by enabling them to see the at
tractive side OF fa5tn life. and to real
ize that 1t is scientific business, and
one of the most complex Of all pro-
fessions with opportunities as great
rs those of any other calling.
"school for Pare:ts" Needed.
The duties of the rural teacher arc
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 IT, secured by calling
community meetings and instructing
the parents on matters Of community
interest. 1t is related that success
full young teacher in a 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 to live
a community life in its broadest and
biggest Sense.
Social Features Essential.
| The successful rural school is tho
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.
M. 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 lie.