Year: 1874




The Teacher and His Profession,


People differ materially in what con-
stitutes good and successful teacher.
Almost every individual views the teach
er, his duty and responsibility from a
different standpoint. While some affirm
if he has the faculty of government, and
smattering of the common school
branches. he is fully qualified to instruct.
others are equally jealous in urging that
he must have all the refinement and lit
erature of modern times. That his ped
igree, the cut of his coat, the pattern of
his vest. hat or boots, the curl Of his
mustache, the cut and manner of wear
ing the beard and hair, must all be taken
into account; that his wages should be
regulated by the amount of style he can
assume and the perfection of his good
breeding or manners, the length of her
curls or ribbons, the magnificence of her
wardrobe and the elegance of diction
and personal appearance. While there
is such diversity ofopinion with regard
to the matter. there is great unanim-
ity of expression, at least, that teachers
are paid exOrbitant wages. Twill make
this assertion without fear of successful
contradiction, that. of all trades, pro-
fessions, or occupations, none are so
poorly paid, when we take into consid-
Grafton the amount Of time and money
necessary in preparation, or that bring
so little honor or credit as that of teach
ing. As class, teachers are more
abused. harder worked and less appre-
ciated for their services than any other
class. Who are the persons. and what
are the qualifications really necessary
for the successful teacher? BY the term
teacher, do not wish to include those
who teach to avoid manual labor, but
those who prepare themselves for that
special work, and intend to make it q
life profession. Those persons who
teach to avoid hard work never rise 10
any degree of perfection or success, and
they are very soon pushed out as incom-
petcnt and. blot on the profession.
Now. for this class. have no apologies
to make or any sympathy to offer 1t is
of the true teacher | would speak, one
whose heart is in the work and who
makes every effort u success, who teach
es for the good it will accomplish rather
than for the money it will pay him.
The teacher should be n gentleman or
lady in the fullest conception of these
terms, should also have thorough and
comprehensive knowledge of the subjects
to be taught and the best methods Of
imparting instruction in thems, Tie
teacher should have no ball or vicious
hlbits, should never indulge in alcoholic
drinks, or chew or smole tobacco. The
example they make il. very vivldly i'm,
pressed upon the plnstic mind. Of tie
pupil, and Haay. in the, future. bring
forth m abua.4,mt harvest either for
good srexl IS the influence was exerted.


Now. il We pause u moment to con-
siGsr she characters, Of those teachers
that we; have kpaMn in our lives. who
haye been suce sssful. left the most last
ing impressions for good, accomplished
the most In the shortest time, we will
find them possessed of the qualities al-
ready enumerated as belonging to the
true teacher. II has been the wonder
ofmany why those persons who were so
emincntly successful as teachers should
leave the profession and seek other EN-
ployment. The answer of one and all
of them is. that they could not live in it
that the compensation was not suffi-
cient to support them. Other trades or
professions pay them better wages. re-
quire less labor. of both body and mind,
and much less responsibility. Talent al
ways demands money in proportion to
the benefit it will do those who seek it.
Now. II man or woman has the talent
and tact of being successful teacher
in the fullest conception OF that term.
there are many trades. professions
or employments, which are ready and
willing to pay more for this same tact
and talent than the school director.
Hence the best teachers are continually
leaving the profession and engaging in
other pursuits of life, and it has almost
come to this pass, that teachers of the
present day are those to whom nothing
better offers, and they make it shift for
present emergencies, to be abandoned
when something that pays better is pre-
scnted. This is to be regretted by all
who appreciate n good teacher and a
good school, and we are led to inquire
the causes and probable remedy. First.
as to the cause. We find it to be very
precarious employment. and is governed
too much by circumstances and the feel
ings of the public on the cause of e,i,l-
cation. Leaving out our city ;nd VII.
lage schools, which form but y very
small portion Of the schools of our counr-
my, there is not more than five months
on an average-school taught in any