Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-09-01
TEACHERS

tr,te or Normal Class is to be held at
Plover, commencing on Tuesday, Au-
gust 30th, at 10 A. NJ, and continue
two weeks, under the care and super
vision of Col. JOHN G. MCMYNN, one
of the leading educators Of the State.
for the special benefit Of teachers of
Portage and Wood. Il is hoped that
all teachers in the county will avail
themselves of this ineStimahle privi-
iege of preparing themselves more eff
ficiently for their vocations Two
weeks Of earnest effort, put forth un.
der the direction Of such an able in
structor, viii prove Of more practical
benefit to the teachers in their voca-
tons than three months attendance at
our common schools as they are usu-
ally conducted No instrumentalitv
has yet been found more potent in pre-
pairing teachers than the Institute
Here, by Interchange Of views, by mu-
tual effort and by earnest work, they
can make progress. The present ed
ucatioual condition of our county i'm
poses an additional obligation upon
teachers to fit themselves for their im-
portant calling. The Importance of
Normal Schools as a means for ac-
complishing this desirable end needs
no argument. The question is simply
whether an educated, trained teacher,
specially fitted for the work of teach.
ing, is more likely to be successful
than one who has not had such prep
aration. The decision of unbiased.
unprejudiced Judgment would clearly
indicate the Importance of these insti.
tutions. If special preparation is ne
cessary for the physician, the clergy
man, and the lawyer, much more is it
demanded in a work which requires
so much Judgment, skill and tact as
that of the teacher. No amount of
mere literary acquisition can ever sup
ply the place Of dexterity in organiz-
ing, tact in managing, and skill in
teaching and training, or give to the
teacher the power which is so indis-
pensable in conducting the education
of children wisel y and successfully.-I
And yet as true and as important as
all this appears, we are sorry to say
that we have received serious opposl.
ton from one member of the County
Board, contrary not only to these clar-
ing facts, but contrary to the known
and expressed wish of the thinking
people of the county. When we have
endeavored to sustain these Normal
Glasses, by applying portion of the
fund which was appropriated by for
mer Board for this express object, we
have been opposed and even refused
the use of that money set apart for
that very purpose.
Consistency is a jewel. Honor to
whom honor is due. We shall speak
more at length in a short time, in ref.
erence to this matter.
Board can be had at s. $50 per week.
You will call upon the County Super
intendent of Portage county.
immcdiatel Y after the close Of the
exercises at pioyer, Normal Glass
will be held at Grand Rapids and con
tinue two weeks, under the care and
supervision of competent assistance
constituting about four weeks of ear
nest labor for the benefit Of teachers.
We know that all true teachers will
be present, and none but drones will
be absent from such exercises, as a
general thing.
Immediately after the close of the
Institute, there will be a
Public Examination of Teachers
for the county of Wood, commencing
at 8 A. II. and continuing two DAYS
at Grand Rapids. All who desire to
teach in the County may be present
at this time if they choose.
Those who design to teach in Sene-
ca, Dexter, Springfield or Lincoln,
may be present, If they choose, at
Seneca, on Monday, Sept 26th, at 9
o'clock \. NJ, for the purpose Of an
examination.
Those who design to teach in Cen
tralia, Sigel or Rudolph, will meet at
Centraiia on Wednesday, Sept. 28th,
at 9 o'clock A. NJ.
There are onl Y very few persons
who have not attainments enough to
be successful as teachers, nor life
enough to labor for any higher state
Of perfection. Such will soon be
stricken from the list Of teachers, for
we want no dead heads in the profess
sion.
The Teachers Association will meet
at or about the time of the examira-
ton, and it is hoped that all will be
present and contribute to its interest.
q. F. W1TTER,