University of Southern Mississippi - Southerner Yearbook (Hattiesburg, MS)

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ll - y An iilrmrnt nf Surrraz EVELYN SCOTT COPIAH COUNTY HE yellow spotted cat thought that she was the only inhabitant of those hills as she noiselessly leapped the water from the stream that flowed among the straggling pines. A great big brown dog suddenly made his appearance. The little cat felt her insignificance as she stood before the rough creature that had dominated for years. Her first impulse was to flee and the dog was ready to pursue her, when all at once she assumed confidence and looked at him squarely. The dog recognized and admired her pluckg the little cat stood her ground. Faith in one's self, like faith in one's God, faith in one's friend, faith in one's purpose, grows by exercise. It is obtained by assuming it and it strengthens every time it is put into practice. Whether this self reliance is to grow from the tiny mustard seed to the large tree depends upon theindividual. The rural school teacher that does efficient work must use much self confidence for it is the thing that makes affective his scholarship and professional training. What is the ambitious young Normal student going to do when he goes into the country school? He is very well versed on the theory of education and his mind is filled with ideals of what the school should do for the child. The first thing to confront him is a school room poorly ventilated and lighted and an inadequate equip- ment, and unorganized course of study. He at once recognizes his opportunities and starts to execute a half dozen plans. In talking to the patrons about his plan he finds that some of them are indifferent to progress while others deliberately oppose it, at the end of two weeks the school room has not changed its appearance very much and the course of study, if changed, does not seem well adapted to the pupils because they do not take a great interest in it. It is the neighborhood gossip that the new teaceer is not satisfied with the school and is trying to make it over. No encouragement comes to the teacher from any source. He thinks about the lack of appreciation and the opposition he is experiencing. If he were to do the Way his unprogressive predecessors did it would mean less toil on his part and it would please the patrons. What is this young teacher going to do? Shall he be overpowered by the old dog of custom and yield to fright or shall he in reassurance stand firm by his purpose and plans for better rural life? EVE LYN SCOTT.

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- Qurnl Eggivnr MEL RHINE SIMPSON COUNTY in ,um nr T has been said that, cleanliness is next to Godlinessf' But judging from the hygienic and sanitary conditions of many of our schools, an outsider might say that this is not true of Mississippi. This is because hygiene has not been proper- ly taught. It has not been made practical. Very little constructive work along this line has been done. We all know the devitalizing effect of hookworm on childreng how it prevents children from maturing, and deprives them of the energy, enthusiasm, and joys of life to which they are justly entitled. Hookworm has been tolerated in our State chiefly because of ignorance and prejudice. Therefore, the problem is, how to get people that have hookworm, to take the treatment. This necessitates knowledge on the parent's part plus his co-operation with the teacher and the health authorities. In dealing with parents the teacher will find that there are three general classes: those who know every thing and can be told nothing: those who do not know but are willing to learn, and those who do know but don't care. Happily, the first and third classes are greatly in the minority and the best way to deal with them is to let them alone. It is with the second class with whom we have principally to deal. The solution of this problem means skilled and sympathetic work on the part of the teacher. It is done by patient and persistent showing. Tactfully com- pare people who have hookworm and those who have never had hookworm, those who formerly had hookworm, but have been treated. Compare the doctor's bills, the farm work done, and the health and disposition of the children. Finally show that the cure is free and has very little trouble and pain attached to it. Do not theorize and look wise. Of course there are many abstacles to be overcome. One is that two classes of parents mentioned above will try to hinder and annoy you. Another is that some of the second class are prejudiced against hookworm treatment for some reason, probably because owing to some external circumstances the treatment did not pro- duce the expected effect. Finally, there is a feeling of false modesty which prevents a sensible view of the question. The iirst two require a great deal of individual judgment and plain, every day common sense. The last requires the same thing and more of it. It is not a disgrace to have hookworm, but it is a disgraceful sin to continue a victim and carrier of it. This is not a laughable matter, but a serious, practical question. It has affected the past, is affecting the present, and will affect the future. Therefore, let every teacher plan and organize his work toward ridding Mississippi of this pest. Our future citizenship demands it. MEL RHINE.

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Athlrtira in Uhr illural Svrhnnlz P. C. SCOTT FORREST COUNTY HE average rural school of today, does not have athletics as a part of its pro- gramme, Whereas athletics, if properly managed, will do as much towards making a good citizen of the child as will the regular text-book Work. I say properly managed, properly advisadly, because not all athletics is desirable as ameans of education. To begin with, this branch of school Work should be a means and not an end. If baseball is started in a rural consolidated school for the purpose of making good baseball players only, then it has no right to the time of any of the teachers of that school. If you have organized a boys basketball team for the sole purpose of beating some rival team, cut it out! because you may be beaten, and then you will have failed in your purpose. But a defeat is not a failure when your purpose in having a team is, first of all, to make fine, manly boys. Mr. Cook of the Normal College, says: The kind of a report I like to hear from a team is not whether they Won or lost, but whether they played hard at the start, hard to the end, and played clean ball. Probably the best effect that athletic games will produce is the habits that are formed. By the use of suitable games the schoolboy will be trained in self con- trol, co-operation, initiative, respect for the rights of others, leadership, and indi- viduality. Such games are, baseball, basketball, football, tennis, and track events. It will be noticed that all of these games appeal to the group instinct that is present in boys during their latter grammar school years. Other games and various forms of play can be found that will suit children of younger age. But this, of course, will be left to the teacher 5 Who is, or should be, capable of teaching athletics in his or her school. Even though We decide to put athletics in the rural schools it Will never do much good unless We have teachers competent to direct the games. That athletics is desirable as a means of educating the child is recognized in all the city schools of today. But Why should not it receive just as important a place in rural consolidated schools or the district school Where the attendance is large enough to have any sort of games. The country boys and girls have a right to have as good an education as those in the city. Their play instinct is just as keen and they Will benefit as much from athletics as will anyone. I might end by saying that the Normal College is training teachers, not only for classroom management, but also for playground management. P. C. SCOTT.