Perhaps we can smile about the following 1872 Rules for Teachers, found in the
- Teachers each day will fill lamps, clean chimneys.
- Each teacher will bring a bucket of water and a scuttle of coal for the day's session.
- Make your pens carefully. You may whittle nibs to the individual taste of the pupils.
- Men teachers may take one evening each week for courting purposes, or two evenings a week if they go to church regularly.
- After ten hours in school, the teachers may spend the remaining time reading the Bible or other good books.
- Women teachers who marry or engage in unseemly conduct will be dismissed.
- Every teacher should lay aside from each day pay a goodly sum of his earnings for his benefit during his declining years so that he will not become a burden on society.
- Any teacher who smokes, uses liquor in any form, frequents pool or public halls, or gets shaved in a barber shop will give good reason to suspect his worth, intention, integrity and honesty.
- The teacher who performs his labor faithfully and without fault for five years will be given an increase of twenty-five cents per week in his pay, providing the Board of Education approves.
This is National Teacher Appreciation Week.
I am convinced that Dallas ISD teachers are appreciated every day that a student learns something new, gets a smile, hears an encouraging word, experiences a boost in confidence, feels comfortable and safe, has a tear wiped or enjoys a big laugh.
We're glad you are here teaching now, rather than in 1872 -- the chimneys are way out of reach.
Thank you, Teachers, for teaching and doing the important job you do for our nation.
Thank you for making Dallas ISD, your school and your students better today.
Thank you for touching the future.
You are appreciated!
