The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1926-04-01
FINE RECORD BEING
MADE IN SCHOOLS
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gy being put into their work. Teach
ers, like other adults, are but children
of larger growth. A child will work
harder and play harder if not direct
ed in every move. For example, force
a child to play certain game and
the interest disappears. Over-super-
vision destroys initiative and STILES
inspiration, leaving nothing to the
teacher but routine drudgery. In this
respect l cannot say too much for
the effect of the supervision of Mr..
Hodge and Miss Hume. who has
charge in the Washington school. The
teachers seem to look to them as
helpers, not bosses. In place of ener-
gy wasted in fear of boss, l found
nothing but desire to please these
helpers, spirit as truly beautiful as
essential in good school system.
I discovered striking example of
a teacher inspiring her class to bet
ter work in the fifth grade. One little
boy was greatly worked up because
another boy in his room was out of
school. 1t was personal matter with
him. His row was neck and neck in
scholarship race and absence of
this particular bright boy lowered
the batting average Of his row. He
was just as excited as small boys ever
get in that questionable game of
"keeps". Now some may say that
this teacher was only applying mod
ern methods. True it is that instilling
competition is part of modern meth
DDS, but l maintain it can only be a
small part, for a teacher without in
terest and inspiration can no more
instill her class with enthusiasm than
could an evangelist without inspira-
ton get footprints on his sawdust
trail.
We have heard so much in recent
years about the young folks and the
sage of jazz" that even my superb
cial observations might seem incom-
plete without expressing an opinion
as to whether or not local young
America is consigning itself to the
bow-wows. OF course one with sus-
picious. nature will always be sure
that things are worse than they are,
and one who always looks on the bright
side is bound to be shocked in time,
if his life is sufficiently prolonged.
The expectancy Of either sensation
is, l feel, largely controlled by indi-
vidual desire. Not being sleuth /
shall only expand on the evidence
of others. 1t is as amusing as it is
startling. Some believe young Ameri-
ca 80 per cent bad and some believe
it 80 per cent perfect. Apparently it
is largely a matter Of viewpoint.
One case, however, came to my
ears that / thot might be success
fully investigated. There were so
many slanderous details in the affair
that found it easy to get at the
truth Of some of them. As / investi-
gated, detail after detail became less
distinct, until finally no details re-
manned, just broad rumor. / am
convinced that the details of the af-
fair were founded on cumulative gos-
sip wherein each conveyor thot it
necessary to add her bit. If others
wish, to get at the truth Of such
rumors / would suggest that they
just once try to follow the rumor to
its source.
I have had high school girls come
to me for advice on little matters of
conduct that they should have felt
free to discuss with their mothers.
In spite of their inner knowledge OF
that mothers earnest desire for their
welfare. they feared curtailment of
liberty, should they go to her, which
would be incompatible with popularity
in these days of freedom.
Just how far young America may
go in it's new freedom without loss of
confidential relations with its parents,
and at the same time protect itself
from Ma Grundy's Vaccinations is
a question which only Father Time
can decide.
In closing my observations let me
make one adverse criticism. There is
altogether too much smoking among
high school boys. This condition, Of
course, cannot be blamed onto the
school authorities alone. Parents and
public opinion must help form school
policies where those policies pertain
to conduct of students going to and
from school. School authorities are
against smoking, parents are against
smoking, and so is public opinion.
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