Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-10-09
Dear Sir:

You ask me to give you the results of our
experience in the matter, and also to offer some
observations upon the practical management Of
such Associations, that other Towns may be
able to adopt the same or similar plans.
The idea of forming such an Association in
each Town, was suggested by Mr.. Adams, Sec
retary of the Board of Education, at the Insti-
tute held by him at Hyde Park, in November
of 81 He not only suggested it, but argued
the propriety of it with such force, that a reso-
luton was passed by a "rising vote" of all the
Teachers present, that they would make an
earnest effort to form such an Association in the
yafious Towns where they might be situated
during the winter.
Immediately on the opening Of our Village
School, our Teacher took measures to carry out
the resolution. He commenced with several of
the Teachers in Town, and obtained pledges of
their hearty cooperation in the movement
They held meeting among themselves and
elected their officers for the winter He then
called on me to deliver an address at the OPEN
ing session, which was to be held in one of the
churches. They agreed to make the duty of
parents to visit the Schools and to aid and sus-
tain the Teacher, the subject for discussion
after the close of the lecture So generally had
the matter been talked of in the various School
Districts that at the first meeting there was
full representation from all sections of the town.
and the Church was crowded to overhowing.-
Every moment of the time at that session was
occupied with the lecture, discussion. and read
ing OF essays that had been carefully prepared
by several of the female Teachers in Town.
Meetings of the same character were subse-
quently addressed by other gentlemen and all
were as well attended as the first
The lectures were upon such subjects as the
following: The Essentials of Practical Edu-
cation; Physical Geography; Music; The Du-
ty and Rewards Of Scholarship Graded Schools
and School Government; The best Methods of
Teaching Arithmetic Grammar and Geography.
&c.. which were the principal topics for discus
sion; while the essays were upon an equally
wide range of subjects.
The Teachers in Town seemed to vie with
each other III their determination to commune
cate some valuable information at each meeting;
and there was no one in the community who
did not think that the Association had most
salutary effect upon the Schools for the season;
nor can It be thought that the good influences
"f IfoYl. eyer he. nst,..,. ~..o..n. y. ga. ...
and results of the Association in our Town, /
will offer a word or two of observation upon the
practicability of carving out such plan in 9TH
er places. | am confident that the great obsta-
Gle to it in most places will be an apprehension
on the part of the Teachers that Mey shall not
be able to say things, at such meetings. that
will be interesting or profitable; and the appre-
hension will be well founded, certainly, if thev
expect such an Association can be kept up with
out great labor and study. 70 use q homely
but very expressive phrase, it will soon run
emptyings," if they come together from week
to week. and attempt to interest large audiences
with mere hap-hazard unprecedented talk
But, nevertheless, 1t will not require more time
for preparation than Teacher of a Common
School will have to devote to it. All the speeches
in the discussions should be short-not exceed
ing ten minutes at most
And as for sources of information. bevond
what their own experience affords. there is moth
ing better than file of old Newspapers. that
will be found slowed away in the garret of eve
ry house, in even the remotest districts. Half
an hours search i'll such place, will bring to
light a variety of articles on the most interest
ing subjects that can be suggested for such dis
cussions, and when they are found. they should
be studied until the Teacher is perfect master of
their thoughts. Then let him mould them into
his own language, enlarge upon them with his
own views, and make them the staple of his ar
guments. In this way he will be constantly ad-
ding his own stock of know ledge. and be able at
each meeting to present new and entertaining
matter. 1t has been often remarked, that those
who are best able to use the thoughts of others,
will have the most of their own. No teacher
should be afraid that, by such a course, he will
be losing his own originality lie will, indeed,
find his originality strengthened by every such
effort.
As to the lectures. regard them as indispen-
sable to a successful carrying out of such plan.
The certaintysf lecture win relieve the Teach
ers from the dread of having to bear the entire
weight of responsibility, and there are but few
Towns in the State where there are not men
enough who will assume this part of the labor,
upon earnest solicitation. Clergymen are usu-
ally very willing to contribute their services in
this direction, and, as they make frequent ex-
changes on the Sabbath, by holding the Asso-
Citations on Saturday evenings, lectures can be
secured from those in adjoining Towns without
expense.
offer these observations in the hope that all
who read them will perceive that there is no in
superable hindrance to Teachers Associations
being kept up, with regularity and spirit, in ev-
cry Town in Vermont, during the winter months.
Yours, truly,
II. l.. PERKINS.