Preserving German Texan Identity (Elma Dill Russell Spencer Series in the West and Southwest) by Kamphoefner Walter D. & Buenger Walter L

Author:Kamphoefner, Walter D. & Buenger, Walter L. [Kamphoefner, Walter D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Texas A&M University Press
Published: 2020-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

The Principal Becomes an Editor

Naturally, as a married man I gave up all plans of going to Australia or anywhere else in the world. I had come to like Bellville so well that I was ready to spend the rest of my life there. Whoever knew the Bellville of that time will readily understand why. I felt I was a true Bellvillite and took an interest in all of its enterprises. I was particularly active in the Turnverein , which, with Albert Saft as director, really did gymnastics or at least attempted to and at the same time upheld the German language. Our newly erected, roomy, and practically arranged Turner Hall became the headquarters for all German entertainments. I also took a lively interest in county politics, and naturally in the teachers’ association, the County Institute. As a member of the board of examiners I gained an insight into the school situation of the county. By this time a second generation of Germans were beginning to seek teaching positions—among them a number of Maetze’s later pupils. Although they had no higher education, two of these—F. C. Kloss and Reinhold Regenbrecht—have been successful teachers all their lives. 1

The German country schools now began to employ women teachers. I observed with regret that a number of German communities began to count on the state school money, which had been increased, for the payment of teachers’ salaries; i.e., on the state’s maintaining the school without any contribution from the parents. I foresaw the result that the schooling of the children would be of a poorer quality than it was at a time when the teachers had received a higher education in the schools in Germany and that the parents might lose interest in schools that cost them nothing. In giving examinations to prospective Negro teachers I gained an insight into the thinking of the somewhat better educated Negro of that time. Often he attempted to cheat or by means of flattery or bribery to gain the eagerly sought certificate. In order to keep all teacher positions filled, we had to let many, including white aspirants with meager knowledge, slip through with third-class certificates. 2

The discharge of my duties was not made difficult for me in Bellville, but the more I tried to improve myself through reading the more I became convinced that for the best success in teaching, thorough pedagogical training in a good teacher’s college is necessary. Texas had only one, and it was still in its infancy. 3 I had my family—two boys had made their appearance by this time. I had no wish to leave them. I felt that my goals were gradually turning away from school. We had purchased something more than half an acre of land that had formerly belonged to the Harris family to the east of our home. There I could return to my old love—gardening and raising fruit. Upon the death of my revered father-in-law my wife had inherited a tract of about sixty acres next to the Turner Park.

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