If the teacher speaks to Andrew in the presence of the class, he may
easily lose his temper, as was the actual case in the narrative recorded
above. The instructor uttered, perhaps, no very offensive sentiments,
but his manner, while suffering from mild rage, was entirely unbecoming
a teacher in the presence of his pupils. The offense was not so grievous
but that disposition of it could have been postponed; also, the teacher
is more likely to think out the best method of procedure, if he does not
act hastily. Andrew has become somewhat unbalanced and needs advice
rather than penalty in order that he may properly adjust himself. He is
unsocial in his sentiments, having grown up so largely in isolation from
other children. At best, his adjustment to life amongst a large number
of other persons will be difficult.
The method suggested above will avoid an estrangement and cement the
friendship between pupil and teacher, and make further coöperation in
the classroom and elsewhere more hearty and profitable.
(12) _Threatening the teacher._ Such an offense as this strikes at the
very roots of the social organization, for teachers are officers of the
state, intrusted with the great task of developing citizens. To threaten
their authority is to set one’s self against the social trend, to be an
individualist—which is to be an anarchist. The teacher who is threatened
by a pupil has only to fall back upon his ultimate authority, which is
the whole fabric of organized society, represented by whatever officers
he may count upon to support him—for sometimes society’s officers are
not true to their trust.
Two examples of this offense happened in one of the northwestern states,
and their respective treatments illustrate the point. The teachers in
both cases were stalwart six-footers, capable of whipping the young
bullies who challenged their authority; but neither of them believed in
corporal punishment.