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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.
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