The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-08-08
Teachers Institute.

the secretary OF the Vermont DOaru Vi Eu-
ucation, J. 5. Adams, Esq, accompanied by
Messrs. Shade of Middebury, Palmer of
Pittsford, Conant of Rovalton and Ncedham
of Hartford, commenced Teachers Institute
in our village on Thursday evening of last
week. The season of the year being unta-
vorable for such purposes, it was anticipated
would prevent general attendance of those
employed in teaching our Common Schools;
and such, to some extent, was the result,
though from fifty to sixty teachers from this
and the neighboring towns were present dur
ing most Of the exercises of the two following
days There were teachers present from Wa
terford. Concord, Burke, Danvilc and Bar
net but in small numbers. Peacham was
represented by dozen or more OF It's young
men and women who came as many miles to
attend the Institute, ard in SO doing. tnrn-
ished, we apprchend. a very significant lndl-
cation of their qualifications to have charge
of the District Schools which have been or
viii be entrusted to their care. Candidates
for teaching that estimate their intelligence
and skill as already more than equal to any
demand that can.or will be likely to be made
upon them in conducting the recitatlons and
maintaining the requisite discipline of the
Common School. who. in their own judS-
merit. cannot profit by the aid and Sugges-
tiors which these Institutes are designed and
adapted to give them. have certainly made
mistake either in regard to themselves or
their occupation There is not in the State 4
more important Office or one more difficult to
properly fill. than that of the Teacher of
the unprctcndng District School, and they
show their appreciation Of the fact who. what
ever may have been their past attain
mcnts or present success in the School room,
are foremost to avail themselves of the assi>
tancc which the ,laturcd experience and ob-
scrvation of Older Teachers and conductors
f Teachers Institutes can furnish to them.
1t IS fitting too-a,I tie presence of sev-
vera! On tAiS occasion has reminded Us Of II
that, while the Teachers o! tie Schools at
tend these Institutes. the teachers Of the pco-
.lc. the ministers Of the Gospel, should 90
with them. Nor these only. but surcrintcnd-
,nts Of Schools especially. and parents. 50 far
as POSSIBLE. should do the same. Ii is a mis-
take 10 suppose that our schools are 10 be
made wha: .hcv should be through the agency
Of teachers alone. and the sooner our com
muui,i.s are convinced Of ii. the sooner they
understand thai the united and earnest coop
| Grafton of teachers and parents. of all class
Is. whether the, y, professional or uNprotcS-
>ional men, is essential to the attainment of
this end. the sooner shall We have in Yer
N ,u,. what. in our social economy We most
ncct. revised and improved edition O: the
Common School. We are aware that >pcci-
mems Of this are on exhibition air sd, here
and there in Various parts of the State. hn,
, they are :cv comparatively ana need 10 II"
greatly mu!,ipli,: to nlcc, tn general wait.
The efforts and aLtI:r>>c> Of the Secretary
ot thr Board of Eluca,:on seem to Us 10 hr
very happily adapted 10 accomplish this OBJ
jrct. to inspire in all who listen TO him. new
utcre>. in behalf OF the Common School.
With he advantage OF hay in- a familiar and
M.ehncycd >uhicc, t. treat OF. he has no;wih-
standing invested i, with such al carncS'nc>S
and .tr,or Of address. with such common
sense and comprehensive views of its rcl,-
lions to all the material. social and moral in
interests OF individuals and the State. that W.
think very few listened to him here. without;
feeling that. in behalf of his object. some
thin, must I've dome or wi,hou, going away
resolved t. do it, Those of our citizens who
wee prr>cr, during lis address 10 the mem
hyr> o.: the Institute on Friday forenoon. will
ro, fail to recognize in themselves the results
we have indicated above, ard We are confident
also that they will not fail t. he in attendance
wherever the Secretary shall advertise HIM
sell to lecture here c-,a!n.
Able and instructive addresses were dcv-
cred Nv Mcssrs Nrcdham. Palmer and Shade
unon various matters pertaining to the Teach
cr> qualifications and calling. Mr.. C"nant
also furnished several familiar and profitable
exercises Illustrating very happily the proper
methods of teaching some of the common
branches studied in the District School.
, We doubt not the Teachers present have re-
turned to their employment strengthened and
: encouraged TO prosecute with new zeal and
fidelity their chosen and responsible work,
and that when the time comes for holding an
other Institute, at some other point i'll Gale
donna County, they will be among the first to
; attend and profit by its exercises. At the
conclusion of the exercises on Saturday even
ing. the following Resolution. presented by
p. II. White. Esq, and seconded by Ex-Gov
Fairbanks, was adopted by the citizens pres
cnt -
Resolrcd. That we have listened with much
interest to the exercises of the Teachers In
Stitutc-.hat we highly appreciate the labor
of the Secretary of the Board of Education,
and of the gentlemen associated with him.
and that We anticipate great goou to the III
| tcrcsts of Common Schools i'll Vermont. from
the measures which have been adopted and
the energy and efficiency with which these
measures are put in action.