The Goodhue volunteer., 1863-02-25
Gaafatioual @epartmeat.
Teachers: Institute. !,
EDITED BY d
PROF. JABEZ BROOKS.

Among the agencies that may be- put in
operation for the education of teachers, none
will compete with Teachers Institutes in
emc'ency and economy. It's an agency pc
cuIiarly adapted to a new State n@@
1t must be obvious at glance that Teach.
crs' Departments in Colleges or Academies,
and State Normal School united, are en-.
tireIy inadequate to the service required oi
them. Cf about 5000 teachers in the State,
not one in ten can be furnished from both
sources combined. Very few of the teach.
ers in the schools of the State ere normal
graduates, probably not one in ZOO; and
doubtless one half of the teachers now en-.
gagged in teaching are upon their first term
Whence shall new recruits be supplied |?
The maio, if not the sole, reliance mus, be
on Teachers Institutes.
These organizations are, it is true, ofshort
duration, but when properly conducted they
awaken an intense professional interest.
instruction IN the sciences is properly
regarded as Of secondary importance yet
from The principles Of classification and hab
its Of study incuIcated. even this becomes
valuable. The great difficulty in the wav
OF ofimproving tie profession, has been in the
isolation Of the individuals making I'D that
profession. But in these gatherings, teach.
ers from different Parts Of the same county
or even Of different counties NEE, and ex
change heir views, thus opening large
field OF comparison and stimulating 10 far
more extensive and successful cffo,ts 70, i'm
prove"ent.
The ia hr's sp rit is here awakcned.-
There is certain sentiment, almost indie
that should .,crvade the breast Of
every teacher. A love for his occupation
and lively zeal in its prosecution, are II.
despensable to successful instruction. With
this sentiment teachers will generally sue
ceed ever With limited scientific attainments
for this same spirit will cause them to pre-
pare themselves by close study and thought
to meet any difficulties which they may en-
counter
j, therefore, thc pre- sent Legislator should
deem it inexpcdicnt to make an app.opria
ton to the State Normal School, we wor'd
respectfully suggest that it make an appro
pria'on for the purpose orhold:ry Teachers
Institutes. Let this appropriation be placed
in the hands Of ;hc State Superintendent,
who shall have power to employ competent
instructors, and to designate the counties in
which Institutes shall be held. In order to
secure the attendance vf teachers upon these
lns 'tutcs. let certificate be given to each
teacher that attends, and let them be en-.
ploycd, all other things being equal, pre:era.
bly, to others.
The henefi:s Of such Institutes would be
ut once demonstrated. Those who attend
.heae Institutes would apply their acquir
nents immediately to their schools. They
attend Tor the express purpose of doing So
Their minds are awakened TO the instruc
ton given. because the necessity and time
Of its application are pressing. The great
est improvement: possible in short ti,.e is
thus made, and We earnestly believe thar
this is the cheapest mode Of practical in
in the art Of teaching that can be
encouraged by The State.