The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-03-12
TEACHERS ARE NOT
APPRECIATED, SAYS
one OF PROFESSION

/ think the greatest reaSCc why
more of the talented young men and
young women do not enter and re-
main in the teaching profession is
the meagrc salary received. but there
are several other reasons, some Of
which 1 shall enumerate. They are
all related to the salary question, and
should receive consideration as well
as the financial reward. But first,
few suggestions about the financial
side.
College professors and public school
teachers should receive sufficient sal
airy to live in at least as good condi-
ton as shop men, carpenters, plum
bcrs and dairy-wagon drivers. l know
men who work in the shops that own
their own homes: their homes are
well furnished, they have a piano, a
victrola, an automobile; the family is
we'll dressed, the children take music
lessons, and there is money left for
the movies know many school
teachers of which the above is not
true, myself, being one. A high
school teacher should receive much
more per month than a man who
guards a railroad crossing or ham,
mer and saw carpenter.
think a great reason for the short
age of teachers is the lack of appre-
citation on the part of the pupils and
the patrons of the school. ! say some
times that it would be a good thing
to close all the schools until students
and the public make up their minds
to change their attitude toward the
school. To be sure. people want a
school, but what kind of school
dc. they help make.
Value Of Praise.
The teacher in the school and the
parent in the home know the value
OF praise. Pupils love to be compli
mented by the teacher, and tho parent
is elated if the teacher says compli-
mentary things about the child. How
m9ny pupils and parents compliment
the teacher? Yet the teacher is hui
man like the pupil and patron. Many
patrons make no effort to get acquaint-
ed with the teacher. I have known
cases even in the rural school where
the father did not know the name of
the teacher of his boy. Parents should
get acquainted with the teacher, and
then not be so cold and distant. We
must teach the child and the parent
to appreciate the school and the
teacher. Let the teacher know that
she is appreciated. Compliment the
teacher and see her grow.
There are too many heart-aches and
too many nerve-wrecking experiences
in school teaching. Most of these
would be avoided if the public would
take the right attitude toward the
school School teaching would be a
pleasure to most teachers if pupils
would just be good, and make an hon
N1,1y
do they not do these two things since
the school exists for them? Here is
where the home can come to the res
cue Teachers should not get their
pay for discipline. but or teaching.
Give the opportunity to teach and you
will see the school increase greatly in
efficiency.
The public does not distinguish be-
tween good teaching and bad teach
ing. Oftentimes a good, conscientious
Woodworking teacher is not apprecia-
ted as a i1appy-go-lucky, non-working
teacher If the teacher gets along
we'll with the pupils and sends high
mark grade card home the average
rarent is satisfied. The child may be
learning very little. When the good
teacher sees that the poor, teacher
gets by" and receives promotions
then the good teacher says. Whats
the use" and gets disguised and
leaves the profession.
Not Enough Democracy.
There is not enough democracy in
the management of our schools.
Democracy is an easy thing to talk
about. but it seems to be a difficult
thing to practice. Sometimes super.
intendent, principal, a school board,
or a trustee is as mOnarchical as the
Fx-kaiser of Germany. Teachers are
dismissed without sufficient cause.
sometimes without any reason being
given. The officer says go. and the
teacher goes. The school official
hears the complaint of few chronic
kickers, and then dismisses the teach
or without knowing the sentiment OF
the other interested people. 1t Is a
case of an oligarchical government In
stead of a democratic government.
worked under one such principal, who
is now a superintendent. He has lost
several Of his best teachers and many
nf the remaining ones are dlsgusted
with his absolutism Three have quit
the profession largely due to his
oomineering methods. Autocrats. pea
nut politicians, and narrow minded
school officials drive teachers from
the profession.
The uncertainty Of the tenure OF
office is great handicap in keeping
the ranks Of teachers filled. teacher
rever knows when it shall be said
unto him, Arise, take up thy bed
and walk" The people eject trus
tee for four years. and member OF a
school board is elected for three years
A teacher is elected for from six to
nine months. Why not elect teachers
for twelve months in the year and for
g term of years?
Foxes have holes, birds OF the all
lave nests" but the school teacher
knows not where to lay his head. A
man that knows most OF the school
men of the state told me not long age
that he knew Of but few superintend
euts in the state who were not looking
for a place TO light. superintendent
FnF nl/l RI