New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-17

potic governments. what the Western
States moan 20 the women Of the last
that 7. s. 165. Brooklyn, means TO
those who are striving for democracy
in the public schools.
The school Is run by he pupils and
teachers. The principal. Alexander
Tichandler, j. their inspiration, NOT
their boss
~ have never given an order since
have been principal OF this school, ne
told me. unless I was compelled 20 DO
60 TO carry ont orders which had been
gwen me.
"If ( wanted something done have
presented my idea 20 he teachers OF
the pupils. as q suggestion. ] am ire
qucnt'y ovcrrg.cd ard always accept
the dec, sion OF The majority.
"lr ore case received an order
from Fifty-uinth street and gave Ger
tain orders for its execution. The
teachers protested At once that mere
we're other and better methods than
mine 10 obtain the required results.
And their methods were better than
mine" exclaimed this extraordinary
yourg man who refuses 20 dominate ms
"subordinatcs," refuses 20 take posi-
ton OF superiority except when u IS
forced upon him. and then abandOns
u Immediately 20 become again the CO.
worker OF the teachers and pupils IN
his school
The school council is made IN Of all
the teachers. Al school affairs are
discussed and voted upon exactly as
local matters were dealt with Iu ;he
New England town meetings.
But one thing the teachers viii not
do. They refuse TO Judge one another.
That they feel. il TOO heavy respon-
sibilltv for them 10 undertake
Il IS interesting 20 note that the
pupils in this school wisely and e.
fcct.veiy deal according 20 Mr.. Itch
sndler. with offences committed by
their own numbers Is II possible that
children and convjcts are better able
20 take responsibility than are public
school teachers the makers Of citI-
Gems?
The school council in Public School
l6j IS probably the best IN the city.
Leave the schools alone is the
appeal being made by the various
teachers organizations 10 the Legis-
iature. No necessity exists for educa-
tlonal legislation, they insist, and they
ask that no bills vitality affecting the
public schools be enacted into law in
advance of general charter revision.
From The Globe" Feb. l6, 1915.
Do the teachers really think that the
schools are as good &c they can be. or
are they afraid that changes may make
them worse?
lie thar Foar II
on the belief that the present large
one is better than any other that Mr..
Mitchell could possibly select?
Madame: Regular teachers. receiving
the maximum salary. attended to the
clerical work Of the elementary schools
until a few years ago. Skilled workers,
even expert accountants, are REQUIRED
to do this work It's volume is enor-
nous. The responsibility of making I
out all reports. attending to all admis-
sions, discharges. transfers, etc, falls /
in many cases entirely upon the clerks. +
We are not given even the ordinary
recognition of ability and experience
accorded 10 clerks in business Offices
We are allowed no increase of salary
for efficiency or for years of faithful 3
service.
Principals have repeatedly Endorsed .
our petitions for such increase, but it .
has never been granted. We are called .
additional teachers. but we are not
treated as the teachers are treated.
Brooklyn Teachers Association
dance, Friday, s p. m. Brooklyn Train /
ing School for Teachers, Park Place T.
and Nostrand Avenue.
DR.. William II. Fitzpatrick. Of Teach /
ers College, Columbia University. will
speak on Initiative" before the New
York Public School kindergarten As
ISOLATION this afternoon at O'Clock. F..
The meeting will he held at Hunter
College, Sixty-eighth Street and Park
Avenue. All who are interested are in
vited TO attend.