Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-11-23
Educational.
From the Windham Co. Democrat.
Teachers Meetings.

1t Is earnestly recommend to the teachers in
this countyato hold meetings occasionally, du-
ring the winter schools, for mutual improvement
Such~meetings have cen held in many places
and have proved beneficial 20 both teachers and
schools They are beneficial to teachers, for in
this way many of their difficulties aud berpex-
ties may be removed, important hints and sug.
gestons on the best mode Of teaching obtained
and, what is Of more consequence, an interest
o. enthusiasm is awakened in the teachers which
Will not fail to benefit their schools No matter
what a teachers qualifications are. if he has no
interest, no enthusiasm in teaching, he cannot
keep good school, and tile sooner he stops
teaching, or Hyjag to teacA, the better for him
sell and the school. If d teacher has enthusi-
aSm he will be willing to meet with his associate
teachers and lmpart some of his enthusiasm to
them. teacher who is SO wise that he can de-
rive no benefit from such meetings himself.
should have benevoIence enough to meet for the
good Of Others,
These meetings are sometimes held in private
houses, in connection with the town Superinten.
dent and Prudential Committee; and the Com
mittee thus become hnftor informed in regard
60 sohuols, the difficulties OF teachers aud THEN
duties. There is an advantage too in having
these meetings, occasionally at least, more pub,
lie, where parents are invited to be present and
hear discussions on subjects connected with the
schools, as the Importance of punctual atten-
dance at school, the evils Of Hardness and rreg.
uarlty, and The Importance of parents visiting
the school and sustaining the teacher
We make few extracts from the Massachu.
sets Shoot Reports on the ADVANTAGES Of sucl
meetings:
The teachers have had weekly meetings the
past year, as usual, and much good we believe
has resulted from them. Members of the com.
mIttee have occasionally been present and uni
ted in these exercises. Whatever improvement
IN instruction or discipline takes place ia AM
one Of the schools, becomes thus known to eacI
teacher in the town.
For two winters past" says another report
"teachers" meetings have been held with mucl
rrnIii - all oanrerRnd They meet the SUPER
Intending committee and had an interchange or
the trials, duties and encouragements, which lie
in the teachers path, the great and noble obiec
before him, and the best methods of teaching anc
governing school. Much good has resulted
from these meetings.
Says another report; "The suggestion of form
ing a School Teachers Association, to be com
posed Of school teachers for the time being, to-
gether with the town and prudential committees
we are happy to say has been carried into efec
with pleasing prospects of usefulness In thest
meetings various topics we've discussed apper
tanning to the best mode Of teaching the dllFeren
! branches of science, and of securing discipline
aud good morals in school" During the pas
year your committee have used their influence t.
sustain teachers meetings As soon as the sum
mer schools were to progress, they invited tn
several teachers to meet together and proposed
to meet with them once a fortnight. These
meetings were continued sem-monthIy durin.
the summer terms Of the schools, and in then
many interesting questions were discussed, som,
OF which were the following
How far may emulation be encouraged u
Should not questions be asked, definitions re
quired and explanations given in every reading
lesson? is it best to use corporal punishment
in school what is the best course to pursu
with those children who are Older than their ia
rents and wiser than their teachers !'
Town superintendent, school committees. cIer
gymen, aud others interested in education, ar
invited to encourage teachers meetings in thei
respective towns the coming winter. The tim
and place of holding these meetings. whethe
weekly, semi-monthIy or monthly; whether i
one place, or in the different districts IN rotation
can be agreed upon at the first meeting. as al
so the mode of conducting the meetings throng
the winter If no other day is selected I wou
suggest that the first of these meetings be held i
each town on the Sec0ad Wednesday, OF til
Schools allowing the schools to commence tn