|
14
<br /> ,15
<br /> fill the vacancy, and we are confident we shall not further ulations, to say nothing of the thousand important things
<br /> test the forbearance of the people of that district by changes which occur to every wide-awake teacher, require the whole
<br /> for.a long time to come. time of'our teachers, and demand that their schools shall
<br /> It is not necessary for us to mention each school in detail, take precedence of everything else.
<br /> for although, as we have before stated, we have been disap- The work of the teacher is not merely to keep school'.
<br /> pointed in some particulars, and in some of the schools there Let the teacher be thoroughly equal to his position, and the
<br /> has not been that accuracy of instruction,or that healthful school will keep itself. It is not merely in requiring long
<br /> emulation and enthusiasm, which we desire, yet we know lists of words and names of places to be memorized,.gr rules
<br /> there has been much hard work-done by every teacher, and learned, or in asking questions laid down in the text-books,
<br /> the results as a whole compare favorably.with those of and requiring the corresponding answers. The great worli�
<br /> previous years. is rather to build up, draw out, educate the minds of the
<br /> We frequently hear the statement made,even by intelligent pupils, to teach them to think aild discover for themselves.
<br /> persons, that the teacher has an easy time, working only He can mould their mental nature almost as he will; and to
<br /> five or six hours per day, and receiving double the a per- this end preparation for ever exercise is necessaryy. . This
<br /> p 3'� a pay, p 1 p Y
<br /> baps, of other good men and women who work ten; and we is especially important in the Primary Schools; and it is
<br /> confess to .a.feeling of indignation as often as we hear such especially difficult to make teachers of these grades under
<br /> statement. No person who has not given attention to the stand the necessity of such 'preparation. The teacher of.
<br /> matter can comprehend the wear and tear of the school-room; the Primary School needs special preparation in manners, of
<br /> the anxiety and care which the teacher feels for his pupils, �' mind, and of heart. She must be prepared for every day's
<br /> and the"complete exhaustion of both mind aed body at the work, knowywhat she is about to teach, and how, she should
<br /> close of the day. The bodily fatigue of the day-laborer is teach it, be accurate in her language, and in her instruction,
<br /> nothing in comparison with it, and when his ten hours are ever on the alert to keep active minds interested, and busy
<br /> over he is relieved from care, and can obtain that refresh- hands and eyes empioyed. She must be firm but gentle,
<br /> meat which his system demands. :The teacher is never free cheerful and enthusiastic, and know how to inspire with her
<br /> from care; the five hours iii the school-room are only a part I own cheerfulness and enthusiasm.
<br /> of the time devoted to the work. We have in mind teachers in f We have devoted much time to our Primary.Schools, and
<br /> our own town who devote their whole time to their schools f are encouraged to feel that the work done in them has been
<br /> whose labors are not .limited to five, ten, or even fifteen i' greatly improved in its character; yet a great deal remains to
<br /> hours; but who, day after day, cmitinue their labors, even be done, and teachers and committee have yet very much,
<br /> late at night, in preparing themselves for the school-room. to learn.
<br /> Hard. work is demanded of every teacher; the progress Much of the training here should be objective, and we
<br /> of the whole world in its broadest and most liberal sense have placed in these schools,and in the Mixed Schools where
<br /> j demands it; and we in Lexington claim it. No one at 'there are children of the Primary grade, at very slight ex-'
<br /> present engaged in our school work can-expect a life of pense to the town, but at considerable expense of time and,
<br /> ease. The suggestions and requirements of our school reg-- care to ourselves, a great variety of material for occupation,
<br />
|