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Image provided by: South Dakota State Historical Society – State Archives
Newspaper Page Text
lauiaffei This truth also discloses the secret of the potent influence for good or ill It seems unnecessary to add that the teacher should be a man wbo-speaks the truth and acts the truth- It is a great misfortune for a child to be under influence of & teacher who deceives patrons and visitors as to real attainments of pupils. It is the clear and high duty of the school to fortify its pupils against evil habits, habits that destroy health and reputation. Rules relating to details of instruction and discipline should for this reason be most carefully considered. It is believed that there are thousands of American teachers especially in country districts who are not teaching according to their best knowledge or best jadg ment because of official interference or the fear of it and for this reason hundreds of schools are in disorder with a sacrifice of needed efficiency and progress on this very question, what a happy change would occur in these schools were the teachers officially encouraged to do their best This mistake of official dictation is sometimes made by superin tendents and principals and it always occurs when a superintendent prescribes the details of instruction and discipline and then enforces the teacher's work. Such a course of procedure reduces the teachers to an operative and is subversive of all true teaching. The most helpful supervision does not dictate or prescribe details but it lor results, and then so instructs, inspires and guides teachers, that they freely put their best thought and effort into whatever they do. This means professional progress, growth in skill and increasing success. It was once too common a mistake for superintendents to criticise teachers in the presence of their classes thus undermining their influence and authority and also lessening the confidence of the pupils in their teaching ability. The frequency of this mistake lead to better understanding of the supervisory function. It may be true that neither dictation nor criticism is as mischievous when made by a superintendent or head teacher as when by trustee or director. Much has been said, of late years, of the importance of teach ing industry in the schools, by which term is meant the industries or 8. a i jcJiqqJ i