Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 January 1880 — Dignity. [ARTICLE]

Dignity.

The teacher frequently has occasion to inquire of himself, How far shall I carry my dignity in the school room? It is a fact that many teachers carry themselves on a plane far above their pupils. A ohilling exterior, assumed as a fortification against the familiarity of ohildren often creates a breach between teacher and pnpil never to be closed by ever so earnest effort. On the other hand too much familiarity breeds contempt, and teachers in attempting to gain the good will and confidence of their pupils oft?n fall into the error of letting the pupils seem to mould the teacher, instead of his refining their manners, improving their tastes sad shaping their charscters. Mere pedantry disgusts, and servility engenders disrespect, and lienee, open disobedience. A teacher’s standing among his pupils is a just criterion of his influence over them. This influence is the central power of his government, and this government is the standard by which success it measured. A teacher who would secure respect must be kind and polite iu demeanor, accurate and impartial in his judgment, unselfish aud devoted in every department of his work, a friend to the friendless—a servant not above the King of teachers who said: “Suffer little children to come

unto me.

E. R. PIERCE.