Common Sense
Too often the teacher is admonished to practice common sense. This is an indefinite term and to many young and inexperienced teachers it means nothing. Should they wish to practice common sense they would not be able to do so, because they can not place a correct construction upon the term. The teacher who observed that one of the boys sat still in his seat and looked into space more than at his book, and then reprimanded the boy because he failed to learn his lesson, did not use common sense. Another teacher in the same high school observed the same boy, went to him privately and inquired in a friendly way, if there could be any wrong from which the boy was suffering. He was told by the boy that he was worrying because he believed he had tuberculosis and furthermore that his father mistreated him. This teacher used common sense, and also the much recommended “tact,” another indefinite thing. This teacher sympathized with the boy and sought to remove the obstacles. Success crowned the teacher’s efforts.
Another illustration may serve to explain the term, “common sense.” The teacher who scolded the boys for smoking cigarettes, and thereby won their ill will and intensified the habit, did not use common sense. Another teacher who won the confidence and good will of the boys and then confidentially explained to them the evil results of smoking, used common sense and tact. Did he succeed in getting all the boys to stop smoking? No. Nor is there any tactful teacher who will succeed with all, but he persuaded a great many of the boys to stop smoking. At this point so many teachers fail just because the first effort, or even continued effort does not save every boy. They condemn their methods and become discouraged. An evil as great as smoking can not be abolished in one year. Probably, it can not ever be entirely eradicated, but patience and faithful service will finally reach results almost incredible. These illustrations should serve to explain one concrete use of common sense and tact. The observant and thoughtful teacher finds instances every day where common sense and tact are used to advantage. It is the object of this Course, in the presentation of many tactful methods, to increase the teacher’s store of “Common Sense” plans of discipline.