El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-05-10
RAISE MONTHLY PAY OF TEACHERS
OR PUT THEM ON IL MONTHS BASIS

IN many states in fact in most Of them feeling is at last
being aroused to the urgent need for better salaries for
school teachers Shortage Of teachers is becoming greater
instead Of less and states finding it impossible
employ enough teachers good mediocre This IS be-
teachers abandoning their profession for employ
ment that offers them more than poor livelihood New
Mexico has had that trouble all during the present school
year also been experienced IN country districts Of
Texas, while IN II PasO members Of the school board su
perintendents and principals well how difficult
has been the task Of keepzg the teaching stats filled
One Of the striking developments Of recent months has
been the sudden awakening Of the public as to the actual
pay received by teachers The information came TO the
notice Of the public here after representatives, Of the teach
had taken up with the school board In other places
varying have been employed to aoquaint the public
with pay conditions IN the schools
An average salary of $500 year the United States
which huge number Of teaching positions paying
as low as $500 $500 year has impressed people IN
other professions businesses and occupations as absurdy
Inadequate considering the importance Of proper insTuc
ton Of children and the investment the teacher must make
IN dollars and cents to secure an education before securing
q teachers certificate.
Marcus Aaron Of the state board Of education Of Penn
sylvania, remarked in this connection;
The average citizen unfortunately usually is too busy
with his affairs to pay much attention to the publies
OF even to the affairs of the pubcs children Certain
ecuve and legislative machinery has been created and to
it has been delegated the management Of the common IN
teTests Of all the people At intervals the public
conscience has been aroused and thought Of the individual
diverted from self to the good of all The occasion over
1t generally reapses into state Of Indifference best
pressed BY Why not let well enough alone?'
the average person gives fleeing thought to the sal
ares OF teachers at ali, likely enough he thinks: why
they get $50 S1OO a mo1th, don't they?"-without
calling that the pay for but nine months at the most
sometimes only five six months in the Of country
districts. So from OnefouTth to onehah the year the
teacher ont Of work and out Of pay. fortunate few
having qualified themselves for other employment, get
work during the lean months The others make ont the
best they with the help Of their families If they
50 fortunate as to have parental homes.
vel qualified teacher in FL Paso remarked recently
IN private conversation:
HUnless salaries raised I shall have to abandon
teaching for other kind Of work an paid enough
for living durirf the winter months but the sumner
vacations very hard. IF you have 90 IN debt
order 70 i've during the and have to pay off that
oebt out Of next winters salary how you to get
alougespecaly if there is sickness other unusual and
heavy expense?"
It not always that school trustees have liberal minds
with regard to salaries for teachers especially in the
Try districts. One once remarked;
"Why, get a farmland for $50 a month and he
has to do heavy, hard work from to sun SIX DAYS
week and chores Sunday The teacher has cool easy
work and short hours with Saturday and Sunday off Why
should We pay her than the farmhand?"
That was some years ago. Now, as a matter Of fact
the grade teacher IS not getting as the farmland
who receives So 3 day, board and lodging
In general way, these specifications for teach
Teachers broad and far-seeni with vision who have
sense OF social responsibility; who have the missionary
spirit and are filled with the love Of human kind; who have
the patience Of Job and equal quality mind leaders
IN the professions and industries Such teachers with few
exceptions such superntendeuts prncipsls are