The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-01-09
Think Il Over.
SSNHODERN society is abundantly able to af-
wi ford adequate education 1t should be

wi ford adequate education. 1t should be
willing to pay the price"
Thus succinctly relieved Of the sentimentaty
which frequently is invoked in considering the
plight OF the American pedagoguc, the National
Education Association sets forth the basic principle
in the fight of instructors OF youth for higher
salaries.
We prone to forget the tremendous respon-
sibility OF the teacher, second only that OF the
mother. But the really thoughtful teacher does not
forget it. though generally he is busy formu-
late phrases for the feeling The association speaks
for him in this regard and further, as follows:
AT the heart of the whole scheme OF educa-
ton stands the teacher. If he is wise and strong
and influential, sound educational practice will cx-
ercise controlling influence upon the youth of the
nation and the foundations in good citizenship will
be Great buildings and large classes arc flu
tile except they vitalizcd by well-traned
conscientious, and capable teachers. To obtain such
teachers it is necessary have candidates who arc
strong and ft-the best is none too good for tho
nations children. 1t is necessary that these
ddates be trained deal with tho difficult prob
lens of education. Such training is costly and
strong and women must have some induccmcnt
to spend the years and money that it requires.
What inducemcnt shall be offered the prospcc-
tive teacher-thc teacher who is to prepare todavs
children for citizenship in the greater nation OF
morrow: There two great induccmcnts-thc
privilege OF service and reasonable opportunity TO
enjoy the things that go with economic indcpcnd-
cncc. The privilege Of service is a great appeal 1t
is dominating influence in the lives of the best
teachers. However in the organization of modern
society there attractive opportunities for service
i'll business and many other fields outside of teach
ing. Society cannot and should not rely entirely
upon the appeal of service to maintain its system
of education Modern society is abundantly able to
afford adequate education 1t should be willing to
pay the price.
What, then should be done with teachers sal
aries? Again let recall the facts. Before the
war, teaching had become notorious as a makeshift
occupation. The drew attention to the appall-
ing situation and after a vigorous campaign by the
National Educational Association and other agencies
salaries advanced somewhat In only few
they advanced to levels which would
insure permanent supply of mature well-trained
teachers. The great majority OF American COM
munities must face squarely and frankly the prob
lem OF still further increasing the salaries of their
educational workers. This will require recognition
OF the primary importance of education. 1t may
require emphasis values. 1t will require
careful study and reorganization OF methods of
rsvenue-rasing. 1t will require State aid and Fed
eral aid. but it must be done Democracy in its
great hour of trial cannot afford to undermine the
of its strength and sccurity-thc school, 1t
cannot afford not to pay salaries that will insure to
every child in the nation competent and we'll
trained teacher"