Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-04-22

SCHOOLS OF Maine oI.f tSdCACiS' gov
of these $3.50 were teaching their
first acknowledgements teachers.
Average weekly salaries for women
teachers il elementary schools were
SLAP, Co men teachers $15.4S-these
figures computed on the basis OF the
number tf weeks schools were main
tanned Actual average salaries
computed on the basis of 50 weeks
were s779 a week for women and
sl021 a week for men.
Is it surprising that there is
shortage Ct teachers? Is il difficult
to see the principal reason why that
shortage threatens?
The demands for war service. in
dustrial and office work, and the at
traction of larger salaries in other
States have all taken their toll from
the ranks Of the Maine teaching
force. Such "a shortage has threat
hastened hy war conditions. De
tails arc unnecessary.
WHAT Are Its Problems?
we shall require at least 1900 or
!
of the State for the opening of the
Fall term. These questions arise:
Is it possible to retain in service a
large enough number of our present
teachers So that at least no more
than one-third of the force shall be
recruits?
Is it possible to so select the re-
cruits nece ssary that at least fair
proportion of them may have had
some training or experience?
Is it possible to secure the best Of
the material Of the secondary school
graduating Glasses on which to build
the future Of the teaching profession?
Can the gaps be filled withiut low
erinG stan ards?
With n closest cooperation of
superintanients, principals and COM
inittees nd with the sympathetic en-
dorsemcnt of citizens all Of these
things can be done.
Increased Wages Are Required
! The increase OF wages required is
not a bare 10 or j. per cent but a 80
or 80 per cent increase at least. If a
spring freshet carries away bridge
or a fire destroys the town hall is
there any hesitation about the town
furnishing tie funds for the emer-
gency? Here, truly, is an emergency
and superintendents and committee
members must fight fearlessly to meet
it and to secure the funds making
increases possible. With the matter
properly presented to the people few
complaints will be made if the COM
! mon school account IS oVerdraWn.
! Tue ways and means of securing
money is It local problem. The money
| must be secured, however, if teaching
! positions are to be filed satiSfactor-
| ily The public at home must pay the
! expenses of war. Education is a high
| " important factor of war and must
be paid for also in it's increasing costs.
Some Suggestions fer Meeting and
Shortage
l. For the retention of teachers
now employed:
A. Make contracts at once with
teachers now in your employ whose
services YOU wish to retain.
Il. Encourage those without train
ing to do summer school work and ar
range for increased wages TO be paid
because of such work.
G. Give sympathetic help to those
| in your employ who are not proving
| to be strong teachers. Study their
(! problems and do not brand them as
! failures without attempting to find
their redeeming qualities. Urge them
| TO do summer school work.
| D. Make an appeal to the teacher
who is tempted to take up work else
| where, outlining her patiortic duty to
| the State that educated her and her
| increased value to the boys and girls
OF her school through another years
work.
| l.. Secure the suspension of COM
! mittee rules which may forbid the
employment of married women.
| H. For securing teachers for Va
cancies:
A. Canvass your community now
for persons who may be eligible and
| prepared for the work. Have in mind
the following classes:
/. Former teachers now engaged i'll
81 her occupations.
! - Former teachers who retired
from service because of marriage.
). Women of normal school and
college education not engaged in
| teaching because of favorable tinan-
cial conditions which do not require
them to earn their living.
4. Teachers employed in other
states with home ties in Maine.
| From the above classes are the best
opportunities for filling the places
made vacant by the removal OF eX-
| perienced teachers. 1t is probable
that in such cases the initiative must
be taken by superintendent. There
are many who will not seek positions
as teachers but who will undertake
the work if the case is fairly present
ed to them. The most direct relief
to the shortage of secondary school
teachers is from this source.
b. Personally interview the mem
bers Of the graduating classes of sec
ondary schools in your towns to de-
termine who are or who may become
interested in teaching. The principal
and the superintendent should CO.
operate in this. In making this can
vass the following points may be
| borne in mind:
l. To interest as many as possible
in the State Normal school courses
All who can go to normal schools
should do so as the future of the
standard of teaching is even more i'm
portant than the present. Undertake
this on the seiective basiS-pick those