Associations
May a young man or woman who is teaching, associate frequently with the opposite sex? No one will attempt to deny that he or she may to a limited extent. Evil results will follow when the association becomes too frequent or too conspicuous, even though it is what the average young American calls “just for a good time.” If these young teachers are teaching in a high school, they will sow the seeds of free-for-all courtship in their classes. Wise high school teachers, and very often the upper grammar grade teachers, know that this will surely harm the better interests of work and progress, that it will also breed the abominable habit among the pupils of keeping late hours and being on the streets too much. Association with the opposite sexes among high school pupils is often romantic and beautiful and cannot be condemned. It is not our purpose to object unqualifiedly to this practice but safety and common sense must be practiced, and at no time can a teacher afford to act with more discretion than in his associations. The married teacher is relieved of this caution, but even his associations and relations with his lady teachers, mothers and often older pupils must be carefully guarded and made only business-like.
This introduces the question of the kind of associates of the same sex a teacher should allow in his company. The maxim, “The kind of companions one has will reveal one’s character” answers the question. A teacher must ignore no one, but only those people whose characters are above reproach should become his companions. It is true, a teacher will, very often have questionable pupils in his classes. Here the attitude should be plainly missionary. Every effort should be made to improve the pupils’ conduct and thereby reform their lives. Sometimes, it is wise to have very objectional pupils removed permanently from the school. Their influence on the other pupils may overbalance the good done in saving them.