Smyrna times., 1857-07-22
Correspondence Of the Smyrna Times.
SCHOOL No. a, NEAR SMYRNA, KENT Co., Dell.
July 18th, 1857.

July 18th, 1851
Mr.. Editor Hoping your readers will par
don the appearance ofmy name in your columns
in the advocacy of a good cause, submit the
two following propositions:
First. That the committee of each School
District in the county meet at the school-house
IN its respective district, at least once month";
for the purpose of examining the school, and
inspecting the books, &C., of the pupils; and,
Second. That each teacher in the county be
allowed one day in each month, or one day in
two months, for the purpose of visiting and in
specting other schools, and making himself ac-
quainted with their condition, and the modes of
teaching practised by their respective teachers.
Also, the kinds of books used, &c.
During four or five years. experience in
teaching, one of the most difficult tasks have
had to perform, was to get the committee toge-
ther at the school, house. Sometimes they have
been tolerably punctual in their attendance,
nesting regularly once month but at other
times have found it absolutely impossible, after
inviting, persuading, and sending repeated re-
quests in writing, to get one of them inside the
schoolhouse once in whole year, and at the
expiration of the year, they could not have told
whether we used Davies Arithmetic or Green
leafs. | say some have been punctual, and to
these have always felt deeply indebted but
the too general disposition is, to yield every
thing to the teacher. This is wrong. Bad
teachers need watching, inexperienced ones
need assistance, all need encouragement and
sympathy. Every committee (the phoLe COM
mittee) ought TO meet at the schooroom once
month, or ottener, and spend day there, so
that they may witness the opening and closing,
and the whole routine Of studies. And when
they get there, they should not sit back in one
corner, and talk about their crops and the late
rains, but they should give all their attention
TO UhGt IS going on an the school. and let the
teacher and the scholars see that their hearts
and their symPalh'es are i'll the right place.
that they desire the advancement and welfare
of the pupils, and that they feel that school is
a place a0orthy Of being visited by men as yell
as boys and girls. Every child in the school is
benefited by visit of this kind. Comilniss on
ers, try it!
With regard to the second proposition, will
only say that some of the best hints have ever
received on the art of teaching, have been i'm
parted during an hours visit TO a neighboring
school. have always felt the necessity of the
rule | ask for here, and the more experience
have, the more do feel its Importance The
teacher, Of all men, should be best acquainted
with the general condition of the schools in his
County, or, State, and yet he is the only ma n
whs has no opportunity Of becoming so Me-
chanIcs hold intercourse with their fellow.
mechanics, merchants and business men visit |
each others places of busness ministers ex.
change Pulpts, aud farmers visit and converse
with their neighbour nr-farners while the work of
the farm is going on but the teacher is bound to
his post five days in the week, and when he gets |
away fromit on Saturday all his fellow-teachers
are away from theirs also. Should this be 10 !
But enough at present. may say more here
after. In the meantime let me hear from some
of my brother-teachers on the subject, or from
anyone, else who teels Interested in the cause
of common schools.
ntl1--}e Yours, ]. D. COOPER.