Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1858-01-08
For the lnouirsr.
COMMON SCHOOLS. No. !.

COMMON SCHOOLS, NO. 3.
INSTITUTES, 'DiREcToRs, &c.-sThe Insti-
tnte is an association Of teachers and Other
friends of education. who mcer together oeca-
sionally for mutual Improvement. They usu-
ally exercise themselves in those branches
taught in he schools, 30 as to become moro
perfect; what one does not know, another
will. They also discuss the best methods Of
teaching tn, different branches, and also the
best plum OF conducting the schools. 1t has
hecn tried IN many of the counies 'in the State,
aud has been four6 to be better adapted to
promote teachers than any other means within
the reach Of all The bcueft to ,hem and
through then 10 the schools is obvious. All
linz teachers feel the gret weight of response
bility resting upon them, and therefore hail
every opportunity of ilupros ement with delight.
THEY Heel no promptines from any quarter 10
attend institutes, for, besiles other advantages,
they afford tho most ample means of genial in
tcrcourse with their fellow teachers. But
sach teachers who have no ambition, whose
capacities are limited, who manage their
schools, either not at all, or by means Of brute
force; who assign lessons and cunduct recIta-
tions only npon The efforts Of a verbal memory,
uho teach when they can do nothing else, and
'heu only for the pay it aifor '~; such teachers
will 4tudiously avold Institutes, aad are u"-
willing to spend either Il dollar or day for
their own Improvement. but, the inter 2sts Of
education advance, they viii naturally be el-
bowed out of the ranks, and their places filled
up by the more faithful and competent. OF
course there are Sofie honorable exceptions,
aud reasonable excuses will be accepted. There
are two Institutes, the District and the Coun-
~ No district should be without one during
the school months, and it is gratifying TO know
that nearly every distric; in this county has its
own And as il is the Superutendeut's duty
to hold the county institutes, it is equally the
duty Of teachers to auead them. Tie abcve
remarks are applicable to both the county and
district associatious.
At the institute held at Bloody Run on the
2SIh aud 18th Of last month, only % of the
80 teacheGs embraced in the district attended.
Tue meeting was Que Of considerable interest
to the spectators Us we'll as to the teachefs.-
Instructions were given in the fundamental
principles of arithmetic, also in grammar, ge-
oggaphy, penmanship soaie OF the higher
branches of mathematics, and in reading.-
Each teacher also gave statement OF his mode
OF teaching the alphabet, spelling, reading,
writing, arithmetic, aud whatever other bracch-
es were taught il his school. THIS exercise
was interesting, and also gave to each one an
opportunity OF comparing bis mode with that Of
others. The wise will always learn. The
county Superintendent delivered an address bt-
fore Tue Institute to the public III general, on
the Importance of common school educarl0n,
and one also to the teachers on the nature uf
their Responsibilities. Mr.. j. Clarendon Tate,
one of the teachers Present, also favored the
Institute with an excellent address on the sub
pet of education. The citizens OF the town
ana the directors who we're present during the
sessions, were all pleased and proited.
ln the discharge of my arduous aud resf6n-
sible duties, Tor truly found Them to be soehl
my hands have been strengthened AMI my
heart chcercd by the active aud cordial co-ope-
ration OF many private citizens, of intelligent
teachers ard of the }ifferent boards of direct
ors. The latter, especially, in those districts
where have been CiSitCg the schools, have
been hearty 10 their assistance. | have 20 far
found them to be intelligent, kind, and accom-,
modatiug; having the interest nj the schools at
heart, and always willing to do for the best as
as far as they know how. But have met
with many who have 40 copy Of the school laws,
and therefore are dependent upon the recours-
es Of ;heir swn Judgment and the opinions of
interested parties, as to their duty. Ia this
way sbme mistakes have occurred winch | pur-
pose to mention in Ioy next number. expect
soon to receive SUPP ly of the school laws and
the State Superin intenden;'s decisions. Those
who have no copy can then be furnished with
one. hope the directors will allow all teach
ers the time to ttend the county institute.
SUPERINTENDENT