Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1860-11-29

ES- The annual examinations OF teachers
for the fall of 1860, has just closed and it may
not be inappropriate to state some facts cor
rning these inspections of the instructors of the
youth of cur county.
The examinations were conducted upon some
what OF different plan from those of former
years; they were, it is supposed, little more
rigid, and better calculated to draw out the
knowledge of the candidates, if il were in them
and at the same time, they were free from
embarrassment Still, after all is done that can
be, it is impossible for the examining officer to
arrive at a just CONCLUSION, ia al! cases, as to
the acquired qualifications Of those who come
forward 10 be inspected some are timid and
easily embarrassed and unable TO do what
under other circumstances would be perfectly
easy for them TO accomplish, others are lodb,
forward and self confident, and can tell, or
write all they know about thing all the bet
ter from being in a situation where others would
be frightened some do not teach but about
three months in the year and are rusty. there
fore, aud are not able TO call TO mind readily
what they actually know others teach or study
most OF the time, their knowledge consequently
Is fresh and ready TO come forth at their bid
ding. Some are slow TO catch an idea and
still slower to appreciate or understand others
can see and understand all they ever know Of
q subject as soon aS it is presented.
Making allowances for all these, and other
uutoWard circumstances, it is due to the teach
ers to say that, with Que or two exceptions,
.he teachers of the several townships have sus-
lained themselves much better In the iuspeC.
lions than they have heretofore. This is espe.
cially true in regard 10 the older teachers, and
fewer young persons, young girls and boys,
have presented themselves fer examination this
fai. than any former occasion. Last year fel,
it 10 be my duty to re5ec. great number Of
applicants whO were in 10 way qualified 10
take charge Of schools, and some who bore q
toieTabe examination in one or two of the
branches, but were entirely deficient in the
Others. The consequence was, that but four
of that class presented themselves for nspec-
lion this fall. II is not my intention 10 over
estimate the Importance Of Teachers Institutes
but think that any person who has been
present at the examinations mast come 10 the
conclusion, that as a general thing, the teach
erS who have attended the Institute and tried
to improve the advantages to be enjoved at
them, have borne the best examinations. not
that attending q teachers drill, three or four
times will qualify Q person for teaching, or
that staying away will disqualify him, bat those
who have attended regularly and sought for
Information have improved, while others, who
have given no attention 10 teaching or the
branches, to be taught. only while they were
actually engaged in the business. and who
think ihst any thing spent in preparation for
teaching, is money thrown away, hare fallen
behind 10 their comparative qualifications 10
all the townships except three, some Of the
directors hare been present at the examina
tons, and 10 many places the whole board has
attended the whole dav. This is Is it should
he ia all cases. Directors can much better
Judge OF the qualifications Of their teachers by
being ct the examinations and seeing bow they
appear at them. than they can be merely see
lug how the certificates are graded.
About FIVE hundred and fifty persons have
received certificates. at different grades varying
from the first to the third, and in 8 yery few
cases, in one or two Of the branches as low as
tie fourth. This number being nearly two
hundred more than there are schools in the
county, these can be no necessity for private
examinations upon the grounds that there are
not teachers enough, and it is Lopsd that
directors will not encourage persons TO make
application for such examinations unless it be
absolutely unavoidable. c. r. CoBCRS.