Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1857-07-23
Communication from the Co. superint'nd't.

y
pose of inspecting the teachers engaged IN The
summer schools, it may not be out of place. to
give your readers the result Of my observation.
The schools in most of the towns had com
menced before my duties as Superintendent be-
gan and great majority of the teachers were
without legal license this rendered it necessary
for ue to visit the towns for the purpose Of
granting such licenses after examinations. l
hope this will be borne in mind. by those who
have been disappointed that have not visited
schools in their townships Owing to the un-
popularity of the law creating the Office, in
some portions of the county, and the unwilling
ness of the people to pay taxes to support the
schools, that was led to believe was felt in
others, felt many misgiyings when making
arrangements for my first official visit, but |
have been happily disappointed, having been
most cordially welcomed to every town where
met the teachers and directors. In one or
two instances the notice failed to reach the
proper officer in time to give the information
to the teachers, but even in those cases, the
directors took great trouble in getting the
teachers together, and the examinations were,
with but one exception, well attended, not by
the teachers only, but by directors and the peo-
! pie, all appearing anxious to know for them
selves, what kind of teachers had been en-
ployed to instruct their children. In every
town but one, the directors, or several Of them,
were in attendance, aud evinced readiness to
cooperate in any measures that appeared prac
ticable. for the elevation of the schools of the
County.
do not say that there is no opposition felt
in the Office of Superintendent, because | be-
| Iieve that there is much, but it has not been
exhibited as | expected that all are in
favor of the school law, because | have no
doubt, that there are many in the county, who
honestly believe the system to be bad one,
and the policy of supporting the schools by
taxation to be wrong in principle, still, so far
as | have yet seen, even those persons, seem
! disposed to acquiesce in the decision of the
majority. All the teachers are not qualified
| by any means, to teach as they should, per-
haps it will not be saying too much to add,
| that very few if any, are as thoroughly educat
| ed, as could be desired, or that they do not
understand as fully their duties and RESPONSE
biiitics as it might be wished they should this
may be the ease with all, or nearly all that
| have presented themselves for examination
Still a very large majority of them are anxious
| to qualify themselves better, and are willing to
do all they can to prepare themselves for the
business in which they are engaged. They are,
on the whole, to be highly commended for their
desire to do the best they can at present, and
their willingness to qualify themselves to do
| still better
Whatever my subsequent success may be- |
shall ever feel grateful to directors, inhabitants
and teachers, for their kindness and valua-
bic assistance, during my first visit among
| them
If | had not been thoroughly convinced be-
FORE Of the Importance of holding Teachers
Institutes in different portions Of the county,
my experience for the past six weeks, would
have demonstrated the necessity of such drills,
for the Improvement of those who are faithful
ly endeavorng to fit themselves for the ardu-
Gus duties, that devolve upon them The reo
pie, the teachers and the school officers, seem
alike anxious that some measures be taken to
improve those who are to educate the child
rem in the county. With these facts before
me, have concluded, after looking over the
field of labor, t4hold as many Institutes, of
about ten days each, as will be possible for me
to attend during the fall, commencing not far
from the first of September,
In order to carry out this plan with any
prospect of success, or with any hopes of use
funess, | most earnestly solicit the aid of all
classes in community all are interested in hav
ing good schools, and without good, efficient,
faithful teachers, good schools are out of the
question. Teachers need encouragement they
need to feel that all expect, and demand an
| advance in qualifications, and are prepared to
appreciate their efforts to make that advance
Let therefore each individual exert himself
to induce the teachers in his town, or immed-
ate neighborhood to attend these meetings.
| am not now prepared to give detailed plan,
to be pursued but will do so in due time, but,
let all be thinking and talking about this sub
ject, so that when the proper time comes each
one will prepared to act efficiently and under
standingly. c. r. CoBrRx..
| A FREE FIGHT IN 4 CuURcH,-A free fight
came off in the Baptist Church, Lansingburg
n. Y, on Saturday. A quarrel started be-
tween Baptist and Presbyterian, words led