The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1922-04-13
EDUCATIONAL.
(By LILLIAN l.. CHLoUPEKl
SCHOOL BOARDS-TEACHERS

over the state are at this time consider
ing the re-hiring or hiring of teachers
While Mantowoc County will have a
sufficient number to supply the schools
this spring, it is not likely that there
will be a surplus. Other counties will
ask for qualified teachers owing to the
fact that Supt. John Callahan has put a
stop to the issuing of special teaching
permits to persons not qualified to teach
according to law. Hereafter every dis
trict in Wisconsin will get qualified
teacher or close the school, While doz-
ems and even hundreds of persons teach
ing on special permits were allowed over
the state, and qualified teachers were
left without positions, the work lost
popularity and many good teachers
sought other fields of labor. The con-
ditions were unfair and work in country
schools and country districts did not re-
ceive the consideration to which its i'm
portance entities it.
A County Superintendent must, above
all else, consider the efficiency of the
schools. 1t is no secret that pupils in
some country schools are receiving
izfnitely more than pupils in other
schools of the same class. The per-
sonality of the teacher, the methods
employed and the interest in the work
make world of difference in the re-
suits produced. 1t is also true that in
some cases school boards, and the peo-
pie in general, seem too satisfied with
conditions that do not approach high
per cent of efficiency. The professional
spirit of Manitowoc County teachers,
as a rule, is excellent. They ask advice
and appreciate help in matters of ad-
ministration and methods. They at
tend teachers meetings, Institutes, con-
ventions, and summer schools in order
to become more efficient-and Manito-
woe teachers to great extent get this
increased efficiency TO use IN country
schools. In too many other counties the
efficiency thus gained is sought for the
purpose of being able to get a position
in graded school or city system. In
such places the country schools are
merely training stations for positions
that are considered higher up 1t is up
to US to see that interest in country
school work is maintained and increased.
Excellent teachers are rare, and the
best are not too good for Manitowoc
county! Let us keep those, and rather
let our surplus be made up of the aver
age teachers and the inexperienced
We have, without doubt, some excellent
teachers in the making in our gradual
ing class from the Training School, but
even the best of these cannot at once
take the place of teachers who have
ulrcUdg made good. The graduates who
will secure positions in other counties
will be carefully watched. Their prin-
cipals and superintendents will be asked
to report from time to time and those
who make good will be welcomed to
their home county to continue their
work. We hope to place as many of
them in Mantowoc County as possible;
but the older experienced teacher
should not be crowded out. This is not
primarily for the sake of the teacher,
but for the sake of the boys and girls in
schools. All experience and statistics
have shown that the school that con
stantly changes teachers is the one in
which least progress is made, School
Board members are not urged to retain
teachers who have not made good. 1t
is possible that young teacher may
not have reached a high degree of eff
iciency in one district, but under differ
ent conditions may do much better work
in another school, This office is ready
to give a definite and frank statement
of the condition of your school and the
desirability of any Manitowoc County
teacher as a candidate for the position
The important thing is to find out what
class of teacher you are hiring. lfyour
teacher Of last year is person who is a
good example for the young people of
the school-in character and bearing, if
the professional spirit is good, and the
pupils made reasonable headway, if the
boys and girls are learning to be good
citizens under her guidance, rehire the
teacher if you can.
School Boards should be careful in ac-
cepting recommendation brought by
candidates from other counties. If such
candidates be referred to this office
measures will be taken to establish
their standing from proper authorities.
The least amount paid for the service of
a poor teacher is too much! A te,C peo-
pie cannot guard the entire County
against inefFiciency and thoughtless-
ness, School boards, patrons, teachers,
and superintendent all must work to-
gether, for the highest and best good
of the boys and girls.
| AnnEMDITM