Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-10-01
Educational.
VERMONT EnrcArlON-

Published under the sanction Of the State Teacher
Committee
TOWN ASSOCIATIONS or TEACHERS
The following letter, addressed to one of
the Committee, needs no explanation. 1t is
believed that the octvai details of an Associ-
alton, successfully conducted, cannot but be
ct great practical value to those interested in
this portion Of our work.
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 manage
ment of such Associations, that other towns
may be able to adopt the same or similar
plans. - y
The idea Of forming such an association in
c'ch town was suggested 10y Mr.. Adams. Sec
rotary of the Board OF Education at the In
etitute held by him at Hydcpark, in Novcm-
b,r Of 81. lie not only suggested it, but
argued the proprioty of it with such force
Tat a resolution was passed by rising
vote of all the teachers present, that they
would make an earnest effort to form such
Associations in the various 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 sew
cral 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 and requested
me to deliver an address at the opening ses-
ion, which was to be held ia one of the
churches. They agreed to make the duty of
- to, 80 81 Il
sustain the teacher, the subject for dis
cussion 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 OVERLOOKING. Every moment of
the time at that session was occupied with
the lecture, discussion, and reading of es-
says that had been carefully prepared by sew
eral of the female teachers in town.
Meetings of the same character were subsc-
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 a Practical
Education Physical geography Music The
Duty and Rewards Of Scholarship; Graded
Schools and School Government The Best
Methods of Teaching Arithmetic, Grammar
and Geography, &c.--which were the princ-
pal topics of discussion while the ESSAYS
were upon an equally wide range of subjects.
The teachers in town seemed to vie with
each other in their determination to commu-
nicate some valuable information at each
meeting; and there was no ono in the com
munity who did not think that the Associa-
ton had a most salutary effect upon the
Schools for that season nor can it be thought
that the good influences of it will ever be
lost.
Having given this brief account OF the or
igin and results Of the Association in our
town, | will offer word or two Of observa-
ton upon the practicability of carrying out
such plan in other places. ! am confident
that the great obstacle to it in most places
will be an apprehension on the part Of the
teachers that they shall not be able to say
anything at such meetings that will be inter
esting or profitable; and the apprehension
will be well founded, certainly, if they OK
pect that such an Association can be kept M
without great labor and study. TO use
homely but very expressive phrase, it will soor
"run emptyngs, If they come together from
week to week, and attempt to interest larg,
audiences with mere hap-hazard, unpremedi.
tated talk. But, nevertheless, it will not re-
quire more time for preparation than teach
er of a common school will have to devote t.
it. All the speeches in the discussions should
be short--not exceeding ten minutes at most
And as for sources of information, beyonc
what their own experience affords, there il
nothing better than file Of old newspapers
that will be found in the garret OF ever,
hnts in 81 4 4
an hours search in such place. will brine
to light a variety of articles on the most in
teresung subjects that can be suggested 70
such discussions, and when thsy are founC
they should be studied until the teacher i
perfect master of their thoughts Then lie
him mould them into his own language. en-
large upon them with his own views, an,
make them the staple of his arguments Ii
this way he will be constantly adding to Nj
own stock of knowledge, and be able at eac
meeting to present new and entertaining mat
ter 1t has been often remarked that thos
who are best able to use the thoughts Of 9th
ers will have the most of their own. n
teacher should be afraid that, by such
course. he will be losing his own originality
He will, indeed, find his originality strength
ened by every such effort.
As To the lectures, ! regard them as indis
pcnsable to a successful carrying out Of suc
plan The certainty Of lecture will reliev
the teachers from the dread Of having to bea
the entire weight Of responsibility, and thor
are but few towns in Che State where Their
are not men enough who will assume thi
part Of the labor, npon earnest solicitation
Clergymen are usually very willing to con
tribute their services in this direction, and
aa they make frequent exchanges on the Sab
bath. By holding the Associations on Satur
day evenings, lectures can be secured iior
those in adjoining towns without expense.