The Alaska citizen., 1915-01-11
TEACHERS DISSATISFIED,

IrdCllCdlly every teacher Tn fair- banks, it is asserted, is looking fo~- ward to leaving here for good at the end of the present term of school. The teachers declare that this is due to the fact that they are being oyer-worked as a result of the faii- ure of the city to provide as many teachers this year as last. It is hinted, however, that it is not only over work but lack of a consenial at mosphere in the school that is caus- ing them to seek employment else where
 In any case. it is quite certain that the city has made a serious mistake by reducing both the sal aries of teachers and the teaching force, for this constant change in the personnel of the instructors is detrimental to the pupils and to the city.
 The result of this will certainly be that Fairbanks will get a second rate among the teaching fraternity. and it will be but a little time un- til the only teachers who will ac- cept jobs here will be those who are not capable of getting employ ment in other places. Thus the city's economy is questionable
 It seems that Prof karrer, prin- cipal of the Fairbanks schools, is as earnest and hard working a pria- Cipal as the city ever had, and he is devotins all his energies to his work. He is supported, too by what seems to be good teaching force, but apparent, the teachers and the pu- pills, as a rule, are dissatisfied, in spite of the fact that the principal is reported by them all to be we'll liked.
 Thus We have a situation that should receive the careful investiga- tion of both the school board and the council, both of which must work together for the good of the schools. If there is a disturbing element in the school, it should be removed at all costs, or if the trouble is due to outside influences, then the trouble should be located and steps taken to overcome it.
 To do her work properly, a teach CT must contribute all her nerve force to her work, but if her sur roundings become wearisome, then a part of her nervous energy is wasted in worries, and the pupils are the losers
 This way of electing teachers every year is an antiquated method that has been abandoned in all progress sive communities. Almost every where teachers are nowadays under civil service rules, and are retained until bad conduct, or inefficiency causes their removal following prop. CT hearings before the members of school boards, sitting as judges. Thus when teacher is employed she enters upon her work with the idea that nothing but her own inefficiency or bad conduct can remove her un- til she gets ready to leave of her own accord, and as a result she set ties down to her work with satis. faction that is not enjoyed by the teacher who is forever worrying and working under a political uncertainty.
 There is no just reason why the Fairbanks school should not become just as attractive to good teachers as are the schools of the cities Outside, where the conditions are SO good that teacher is not forever looking out for better job. This irritating economy should be banish- ed, as far as the schools are con- cerned, and everything should be done to get the best teachers and to obtain from them their very best efforts on behalf of the Fairbanks pupils.