The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1915-12-02
TEACHER EXPLAINS
SCHOOL DUTIES
MISS MABEL NELSON OF BRUCE
READS INTERESTING PAPER
AT DISTRICT MEETING
COOPERATION WITH SUPERINTENDENT
Rural instructors Are Under His Guild
ance and the Parents Should AS
sist the Teacher With Pupils

$40 tnC ICdCncT WIN FuptlS
"A Teachers Duties is the subject
Of a very interesting and instructive
paper read by Miss Mabel c. Nelson
of Bruce, teacher of lakewood District
SO, at the teachers district meeting
at Bruce on November IS. County Su-
p%erintendent Herbert w. Blakely is
very enthusiastic over the paper and
says if every teacher in the county
would follow Miss Nelson's suggestions
Brookings county schools would be far
ahead of any other in the STATE.
Miss Nelson's paper follows:
Success in life is based upon more
than the possession of natural ability,
education or skill. Many who are in
possession of these fail, while others
who are less gifted succeed. The
reason, in a great measure, lies in the
attention to little points not usually
considered worthy of special emphasis,
yet of sufficient importance in their
effect upon ones standings with his
fellow men.
The successful operation of a school
system involves the organized effort
of a number of individuals toward a
common end. Wherever a school sys-
TEN exists, the teacher is responsible
to the head of the school system, who
in turn Is responsible to the board and
this to the community in general.
There is a necessity for a loyalty on
the part of each subordinate to his
chief. Unquestioned obedience is the
first rule of efficient service which the
teacher owes to his superiors.
Under County Superintendent
The teacher in the country school Is
III der control of the county superin-
tendent. 1t is the teachers duty to
cooperate alphabetically as well as
i~ntelligently with the county superin-
tendent. No teacher should regard
the superintendent as a task master.
There should be nothing in his recon-
mendation to prevent the execution of
the individuality that the teacher
might suggest. His plans bring this
in line with the general movement, and
deserve the support Of every teacher.
1t is the duty of a teacher to attend
institutes and teachers meetings when
ever possible. All Institutes are meet
ings for co-workers to discuss plans of
improvement in the teachers field of
labor.
Each teacher should notify the coun
ty superintendent when beginning a
term Of school. This will be practical
assistance to him In aiding those who
are looking for vacant schools.
Duties to Patrons and Pupils
The teachers duties to patrons and
pupils are Of great Importance since
the purpose of the school is for the
benefit of the pupil, while the parents
who furnish the pupils and revenue de-
sire more consideration than is usually
accorded them. In controversies which
may arise it is the duty of the teacher
to exercise great ~forbearance, kindness
and tact. The teacher should be frank
in his representations to parents CON
corning their children. If a child be
failing either in class work or deport-
ment to tell the parent truthfully in a
proper manner showing devotion to
the child, will make a better impress
sion than to round off the truth in such
a way as to mislead the parent. The
teacher should show courtesy to the
pupils and parents. In dealing with
pupils, a command should not be given
where a request will suffice. Where
differences in opinion arise between
teacher and parent, these may be rem
edied, and often times removed by ap-
preaching the parent in such a man.
ner as to make him feel that you are
striving for his best interests, and for
those Of his children. Suggestions
from parents should not be resented
by a teacher as reflections upon his
skill or management, since parents ma
turally feel deeply the interest and well
fare of their children. Where sugges-
tons are impracticable, explain where
in the difficulty arises. and the reason
for refusing them. and often arrange
ments satisfactory to both parties will
be reached. Parents should be en-
couraged to visit the school. and be