Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-16
BY JOHN J. McIvER.

- MERGING from a state Of al
- most total obscurity, which
began with the dawn Of the
IL twentieth century, when marked
competition by woman teach
ers reduced their numbers, male teach
ers since 1920 have staged an amazing
comeback and their roster now exceeds
that of any other profession in the
United States.
Increased salaries, better educational
facilities and intensified public inter-
est in the promotion of educational in
situations and projects are credited as
vital factors which have added luster
to the profession of teaching which is
alluring to male college graduates.
While the exact number Of such
teachers now employed in the United
States is problematical, 1t is generally
believed that the roster exceeds 300, 900.
The National Education Association
states that 891,555 teachers, male and
female, are now engaged In shaping the
educaticn of the Nations youth.
Statistics officially Endorsed by the
association refer to the memberships of
the legal and medical professions prac-
ticing in the United States. The fig
ures give the number of physicians as
1854 and of lawyers as 123,162. Incl
dentally. based on the marked and
steady trend of educational progress
throughout the Nation, the National
Education Association estimates that
the roster of teachers will have passed
the 100000 mark before the close OF
the ensuing year.
Associated with the acknowledged
educational advancement and culture
in the United States is the fact that
the development is reflected more
brightly in the area of the Southern
States, where, until the World War
educational projects were permitted tc
lag. It Is noted that the greatest
educational advancement in the South.
ern States Is being made in the regions
showing the greatest stimulation in in.
dustrial affairs, and the extension oil
good roads construction. North Caro-.
lima, Alabama, Florida and north.
western Georgia may be cited as glow
| ing examples Of States where educa.
tional gains and industrial progress have
marched In unison toward the goal oil
| success.
Fortunately for the welfare Of thu
Nation and posterity the stimulation Of
educational projects throughout thu
country has been remarkably free from
the intrusion Of ultra-radical and un.
| AOAAONAoVAN propaganda, OCoplOC SpOIdUlt
cries that local school boards were
permitting the introduction of text.
books considered alien to American ira.
ditions. In fact, a close scrutiny OF
official statistics reveals that the spirit
| Of John Dewey, generally conceded tt
be one of Americas greatest educational
philosophers, still inspires the schoo
teachers of the Nation. Incidentally, q
brief outline of Dewey's philosophy
which breathes whole hearted loyalty
to the national democratic Ideals, fol-
| lows:
Education Is Life.-Many educators
have believed that the child existed fol-
| the sake Of the man or woman that was
| to be, and that education should be
preparation for the adult life to come
later. This Is true to certain extent;
however, education is more than mere
preparation for life. Education is life
1t is q continuous process from the be-
ginning to the end of life, both in and
out Of school. Deal with each child
each day, as an individual, with real
problems to solve and real life to live
and when he reaches maturity he viii