Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1920-06-10
REASONS FOR EXISTING
SHORTAGE OF

although the salary question is 70 par
cent. OF our difficulty there are other req
sons why more of Connecticut,s most
capable young men and women are no.
entering the teaching profession, saws
the current issue of the pamphlet iss,,,
oy the state board of education. Not only
must the teacher have salary sniff
GENTLY large but he must be Offered a
nome as good at least as his own, a nigh
social rank because of his intellectual
and social value and greatly increa sell
appreciation of his services.
AS never before the people of Connec-
tlcut are turning to schools for guild
ance In economics, home life patriotism
and municipal stability for as Secretary
t4lne has stated upon teachers depends
IN large measure the welfaS1 O. this
commonwealth and the existence and
stability of free Institutions
THE salary question for teachers is
| vitality important. They must have a
living wage. The primary isue conc ,rns
! the social status of the teacher If very
large salaries are the only method ty
which the community can show its high
esteem for the teacher then by all means
let us keep up the salary agitationS But
l am convinced that no real teacher will
enter the profession just because of pos
sible financial rewards. A person who
| is out to make money will not be attract
| ed to teaching He ought not to he
What the teacher must have is the sane
ton of society. He must be taken seri-
ously. He must be able to respect him
| self and to command the respect of the
| public.
| AT the present time there is no dearth
| of noble idealism among young Ameri-
| cans, no lack of readiness to enter the
| highest callings for the sake of service,
and with only a modicum of the compen-
sation they might earn in other careers.
Ot all the secular calliugs in which men
| may engage there is zone nobler none
| more significant and momentous for the
body polite, none more indispensable for
the maintenance and advance of civiliza-
| ton than the teaching profession.
Inc attitude of the public toward the
| teacher is of the utmost Importance and
consequence. Upon that attitude depends
| to a great extent the ultimate profess
s1onal success as well as the social status
and happiness of the teacher
Is the practical attitude of the general
public in accord with our theoretical an
probation of the value and greatness of
the teachers work?
No one maintains that it is 1t is 70
be hoped that the general discussion of
all these matters that is now going on
viii awaken the public to whom it has
| entrusted the formation of the very life
! end spirit of our future American de.
| mocracy.s
Teaching affords some of the endur.
! ing satisfactions of life. There are nc
greater rewards than the satisfactions
that come from the greatest of all hL.
man activities-the betterment of boy:
and girls.
If capable and intelligent high scloo
seniors could be inbued with an engfoss
| Ing aspiration to help in this worthy
cause they would enter upon the work o.
teaching of their own volition But the,
have somehow conceived the notion -ha-
teaching is task to be done and 10
cause to be served.
Teaching American children Is :
cause the same as making clothing fo
Belgian children, but we have failed t.
Undue our young people with this notion
We shall do we'll therefore, in on
schools, our homes, our churches, an,
our homes, our churches. and our so
cieties during the next few months II
show that teaching is a cause to be sery
ed and that it is an expression of m
triotism the same as working IN .
French hospital or fighting in tn
trenches"