The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1859-10-12
TEACHERS INSTITUTE.

The school for the training Of teachers
in our village is progressing with much
zeal and interest on the part of the teach
ers present, about forty in number
Supt. GREGORY and assistants are doing
a noble work for the schools in the rural
districts of our own and adjoining coun-
ties. "Aptness to teach" and ability to
govern are considered the fundamental, if
not the very foremost traits in the charac-
ter of a first class teacher, without which,
all his store of knowledge, be it ever so
extensive and inexhaustible, will be of
comparatively little benefit to his pupils;
but with these, teacher of comparative
" small attainments in science and gen.
eral literature, may impart the knowledge
he does possess in manner that shall
produce TIE most happy results in the
mind and character Of his pupils.
Teachers Institutes, we arc satisfied,
when properly conducted, are great dis
pensatories Of light to those who aim 10
rise to the exalted position of successful
instructors of youth; and the peculiar
tact of enlisting the attention, the zeal,
and the heart of the pupil, in his search
after knowledge, is there clearly instilled
into the mind of the teacher, and he goes
from this school to his own school room
with his thoughts, his energies, his whole
soul enlisted in the good work, and he
enters upon his arduous duties with dc
gree of confidence in his own abilities
never before possessed, and with well
founded expectation of doing more and
better for his pupils than ever before, the
confirmation of which time will show.
We regret that no more teachers have
favored the Institute with their presence.
We heartily wish every teacher in the
Grand River Valley could have been a
partaker of the benefits to be derived from
the lessons taught in the school and lee
ture rooms, from the fact, that we believe
it would have direct and unmistakable
tendency to elevate the profession of the
teacher in public estimation, and place our
primary schools on the high road to the
enjoyment of much greater success and
efficiency than hitherto realized.
We are decidedly in favor of Teachers
Institutos-though hitherto moro or less
stigma has been cast by certain disafcct-
cd ones upon them-from the fact that
they bring within their salutary influence,
hundreds of worthy, talented teachers
who arc drilled, in the most thorough
manner, in those branches taught in every
school for the education of youth, and are
made quite familiar with the great science
of teaching; teachers too who do not pos
sess leisure and money to avail themselves
of a thorough course of instruction in our
Normal or other schools for the education
of teachers, and without the advantage:
of the Institutes thus brought within
their reach, their labors MS teachers would
be comparatively of little real, practical
worth TO community. And we believe
the people of our county will, during the
coming winter, and the succeeding term:
of the school year, and even during al
time, have good reason to rejoice that ou1
county was selected as the place for hold
! the term Of the State Teachers Inslitut,
now about closing. Again the institute
has not been without its advantages tC
our citizens. The exercises of the schoo
room have been listened to by those hav
ing leisure with much interest, and tn,
evening lectures at the Court House hav,
served TO arouse an interest on the sub
jet Of education never before felt by ever
the most jealous in our community.
+, We truly hope all Institutes hereafte
held in our State may prove as great /
success as that now in progress at GranC
Haven.
DELEGATEs TO CHARLESTON. - TIL
. -. IL. c. n, 49, - 7.