The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-11
THEY MEET HERE.
Shawnee County Teachers Hold
Conference Today.
Corporal Punishment Is Not
Necessary, Teacher Says.
DR.. BUTCHER CHIEF SPEAKER
Head of Kansas State Normal
Says Salaries Too Low.
Delegates Elected to State Edu-
catiOnaI Council.
|R. BUTCHER Chief SPEAKER

A vigorous discussion came up in
the rural section of the Shawnee
County Teachers association this
morning, as to what forms of punish
ment were advisable.
Mrs. Ella S. Burton, of the Rice
school, maintained that punishment of
the corporal variety is never neces-
sary, tho she was opposed in her
stand by nearly every teacher present.
Il have taught school for thirty-five
years. 1 never whipped a pupil but
once and 1 have bitterly regretted
that. When the teacher is unable to
get a grip on the better side of her
pupils and rule them without physical
punishment, it indicates failure on the
part of the teacher, and not on the
part of the pupil" Mrs Burton de-
clared. Mrs. Burton said that she
had taught a school known as an tout
law school, which had compelled the
teacher before her to resign, and that
she had been successful in securing
by appealing to the better nature of
the pupils. except in one case. One
boy, the leader in the trobule, was
beyond her.
Boys Was Neglected.
IT investigated and found that his
parents were very intelligent people,
but that the father was very busy and
L
up to the parents in such a way that
they went the limit in helping me to
make him see the error of his ways"
Mrs. Burton told the teachers.
The majority of the pedagogues
present stuck to their attitude that the
best way to ''get a grip" on the pupils
was ''by the back of the neck in
some cases, however.
More Than 100 Present.
The teachers. more than 100 in
number, were from all the schools of
the county. Their organization met
at 10 o'clock this morning for group
conferences in the High School build
ing. at which the primary section was
presided over by Miss Maud SNYDER
the High School section by Supt. T.
L. Bouse, of Oakland and the grade
school section by Miss Mary Schamahi
Following group. discussions of the
various problems confronting them,
the teachers gathered in a general
session which opened with music by
Miss Margaret GohIke and Miss Beth
CASTOR.
DIR. Butcher Speaks.
DR.. Thomas Butcher, president of
the Kansas State Normal at Emporia
was the chief speaker at the general
session, and declared to the teachers
present that there was never such a
bright future before the teaching and
other professions as there is at the
present time.
Discusses Low Salaries.
The present low salaries paid to
teachers are caused by the fact that
anyone who wants to teach school.
can teach school, Doctor Butcher
declared. He said that the present
low standards of admission to the
profession explain why teachers are
paid low salaries. under the law of
| supply and demand.
Ira d6Snor and manuel 10 q 70
given higher wages than schoolteach-
erS because the experience and quail
lfleat1ons which are demanded of them
give them protection. The boy or girl
who leaves high school or common
school now, and is able to get a GER
tificate under the present low stand
ards, is the person who is making it
difficult for the really trained and
qualified teachers to draw decent sal
aries. Doctor Butcher declared.
Shortage of Teachers.
There is a growing shortage of
Normal school said. which, in the
course of a few years is bound TO re-
act, and give the teacher a salary far
above that which he or she is draw
ing now.
Not only money, but power. will be
in the hands of the teacher then, Doc
tor Butcher said. "A man is what he
is taught, to a tremendous extent"
Doctor Butcher declared. Environ
ment has little to do with 1t, but the
teacher has the greatest possible power
in leading the young people of the
| United States, and when there is felt
| a. shortage of these leaders. the teach
ers will come into their own"
A move to enroll every school room
in the county in the Junior Red Cross
was started at the meeting today.
Delegates were elected to the next
Of council
the state this morning. The Shawnee
County Teachers association will be
Represented by the president, F. l..
Seaman. and by Mrs Nellie c. Harriet.