Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1858-05-11

columns 40 nnd A production on thu umcci ol
iduchlloN nm surprised thai }uut columns
ATE NOT dotted hufu and there, Win agumcnis
io arouse and interest The public mind, ON This
too much neglected subject, m the hbscucc
oi bottcr give place To The following, tho
nom one m the humble walks OF liie but with
q soul ml Of love and zeal for The cause,
was happy TO see In your paper notice OF
q Normal School, 20 commence the fourth oi
May next, In the Borough of Curwcnsyillc.
am strongly impressed with the fact, that We
all should bo interested, aud feel ourselves I'M
der obligation TO be active to increase the in
tcrcst Of the school, as Il is held especially to
benefit Teachers. II our County Supcrntcn-
dent is willing to spend eight rccks, giving in
structions, Teachers should avail themselves
Of the opportunity so kindly profcrcd them,
and reap all the benefit from the instructions
possible. Are notall the Teachers aware Of the
fact, that the higher the grade of the ccrtili-
cate, the more wages they receive II should
be the aim Of every Teacher, TO obtain Ger
tifcate of the FIRST class. IL is fact TO he Ia.
mented, that some Teachers In the more Rural
Districts (having been employed for want OF
competent oncs) are not capable Of properly
explaining the first principles Of Arthmatic
and Grammar, or even Of pronunciation and
the best teachers have ample room for improve
mcnt. Let us pause and consider for one mo-
ment, the disadvantages these children labor
under with such teacher.
Impressions on the mind Of child are last
ing, and false impressions are as lasting as cor
rect ones the power Of memory In retaining
past impressions, and its susceptibility OF I'M
provement, are vastly greater than is generally
imagined. 1t is reported of Seneca, that he
could repeat two thousand verses at once, in
~. a IL
hearsc them backwards, without missing sin
gle syllable. Cyrus is said to have been able
to call every individual OF his numerous army
by his own name. Cyrencas, who was sent by
Pyrrhus to the Senate at Rome, on an eXpedi-
tion, the very next day after his arrival both
knew and also sluted by their names all the
Senate, and the whole order Of the gentlemen
in Rome. Thus il appears that children are
not only possessed of an ardent desire after
knowledge, but are endued with the most
penetrating and capaCiOus powers Of intellect,
both Tor acquiring and treasurng itup in their
mindS-pOwcrS which appear susceptible OF in
definite improvement in this world and the
inference, that may be drawn from this, is,
that they will continue to be cXerted with un-
interrupted activity, throughout an unceasing
duration. Ignorance goes hand in hand with
vice and folly. With these truths before MS
shall we allow our children TO have their minds
clouded with half doubtful and incorrect teach
ings or shall we urge upon teachers the i'm
portance the necessity Of qualifying themselves
Tor this very responsible calling | think the
response will be let us have our teachers En-
cdted. 1t would afford me pleasure if ! could
find language to impress upon the mind Of ey-
cry parent, the Importance Of having teachers
tceH qualified for intelligently discharging the
1Nt tiagg gt ha gal pplp "a hia ptfl t4n
word to Directors you expect your Super
intcndent to take upon himself the extra la
Dor of teaching a Normal School number of
weeks every year. This labor is not imposed
upon any other Superintendent in the State,
(that know off, True, Institutes and schools
have been held Of three and four days, and
some have continued one or two weeks; and
on one instance weeks; but the Superinten-
dent is not required to bear the expenses or
perform the labor OF teaching these are borne
by the teachers and friends OF Education.
Teachers are usually employed from a distance
to perform the labor Of teaching, and the duty
of the Superintendent, is TO be present and
superintend all. These Institutes and schools
have been attended with enthusiasm. and a.
wakened great interest in favor Of Education.
While the Superintendent of Clcarfeld Coun.
| ty does not receive as high salary as many,
and believe most of the SuperintcndcntS in
the State, and has probably as rough territory
! to pass over, in his travels through the Coun.
| ty, in his visits to the districts in the County
he gives his time and labor eight weeks tc
teach ourNOrmal School. just mention this
that Directors may know, and see, and appre.
ciate.
We had not enjoyed these advantages unit
last year, and the advantages of the Norma
School last year have been seen and believe
every one that attended, received instruction
that was worth treasWring up, and especially
/ the instructions in the art of teaching were
reduced to practice and worked well.
j have been thinking, and talking, about tht
improperly ofDirectorS keeping their schools
in their districts, during the Normal School
Last year large number of schools were KEEP
during the Normal School. This is wrong
Those teachers are employed, that most nect
the instructions ofthe Normal School Dircc
tors in thus employing teachers are acting in
consistent, for why do they wish or impose
upon the Superintendent the extra labor o
teaching, and then employ their teachers tc
keep them away3
said we should all be interested, and throw
of our Indifference; the interest OF the Com
mon school system demands our attention
Other counties are advancing ; their sons anC
their uaugulcIS are having advantages, WulCl
will enable them to stand on an equal will
their fellows.
In attending these institutes, it is cnougl
to move the coolest and most inSensiblc, tt
witness the eagerness with which teachers a
vail themselves Of the privileges afforded, and
their anxiety to profit by the instruction thu
brought home to them. The Normal Schoo
| believe to be an important auxiliary, in ad
vancing the school system, and our interest il
it should be such as to make it the stepping
stone to the establishing, in our County,
State Normal School. Lancaster County hal
taken the lead in this-Cuml crland County af
fords an example worthy of imitation in tho
united effort Of the County Superintendent
and directors, in conjunction with teachers and
! the public.
am making this communication too long
| invite the attention of those better posted
up in these matters. Are there not those who
have the ability and interest TO set forth the
steps to be taken, and the character of lis
works, and the arguments in favor of having
| the State Normal School in Clcarleld Comfy