The midland journal., 1946-03-08
CAN ANYBofjY rEAcHY


state, meet certification qualiflca-
tions. This means that 22.6% of our
current teaching staff in white
schools does not meet the profession
al requirements. Eighteen of these
holders of War Emergency Certif-
Gates are on our high school staff; IS
on our elementary rosters.
OF the fifteen colored teachers in
our county, but one fails to meet
minimum requirements for certifica-
ton.
Speaking of shortages, there's one
situation existing that bids fair to
eclipse all other shortages in it's pos
sible tragic implications; for it affects
our chiidren-our children in the
classrooms of our public schools
Americans bemoaned loudly the
shortages in sugar and grain, for dis
tilleries may be forced to eurtail fur
ther tie production of Intoxicating
liquors; these same Americans suf-
fered agonies of irritated nerves
when tobacco for domestic consump-
tion become scarce, for one could get
no more than package of cigarettes
per person per day; the women of the
land (and some men, too) snarl and
snap as they stand in line for pre-
cious nylons, for they're tired of ray
ons and bare legs; folks got just
plain mad" at the suggestion that
our bread may become darker that
others may have food, for we Am ri
cans like our bread white.
Yet these same Americans haven't
noticed apparently, great exodus
from the classroom" as it has been
termed; they have not recognized
that Americas classrooms are suffer-
ing from a critical-a catastrophe
shortage in well-trained, well-qual-
flied, experienced teachers America
has said, by it's indifference, ANY
body can teach schools! and has
gone long way, by saying that, to
wards condemning it's children t.
mediocrity, or worse. Mediocrity, or
worse-unless America becomes as
interested in those children as it is in
beverages. cigarettes, nylons and
white bread! America must do some
thing to stop the trek from the class
room.
Sober-minded Americans, and Ce-
Gil Countians, too, are appalled, by
TIE situation. More than a mere few
trained, qualified teachers have left
Cecil County to find employment
elsewhere, because teachers have
been forced, for economic reasons, to
find positions giving greater financial
security. These teachers have been
replaced, in many cases, by persons
lacking the extensive training neces-
sary to the profession; trained, quail
fed teachers simply weren't available
and aren't now-and from a look
at the enrollments in teacher-train-
numbers. Not that, the services of
those who have given of their time
and talent as patriotic gesture have
not been appreciated-the have; as
matter of fact, they, in last ditch
stand, have virtually saved the
they have been the means, often, of
keeping classes open for our children.
But for tomorrow-the years
ahead--Cecil County needs teachers,
trained, schooled and with the pro-
fessional requisites that mark the
the classroom is not having teacher
there.
Teaching is a profession. In spite
of the opinion expressed to the effect
that anybody can teach school," it
remains a verify that TIE classroom
must be under the direction of spe-
cialist, just as court room must be
under the surveillance of a judge, or
as a sick-room must know the watch
full care of a trained physician. Teach
ing requires years of study, not alone
in the subject matter, but in knowing
needs, mental, physical moral and
spiritual. Teachers must know the
ultimate goals of education, must
know the psychology of the child,
must know psychology of the learn
ing process and to know these, teach
ers must be trained-and well-train-
ed, too. The children of this county
deserve the most highly trained and
best qualified doctors to guard their
health and cure their ills; these same
children deserve the highest judicial
skills to guard their rights and give
guidance when they stumble; these
same children deserve the beest quail
flied, most highly trained teachers
to help bring them to their fullest
possible development, as individuals
and as members of democracy
Not just anybody can do all that.
Not just anybody can teach!
Teaching must be made attractive
to trained, professional--minded men
and women here in Cecil County
and to the young men and women
who are about to launch themselves
upon careers. Other counties of our
own state-our neighboring states
attract teachers because teachers