American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-07-27

the past year, were feinaies ana, doubt
less, during the present year, there will be
a greater proportion, as a number Of male
teachers gave up their schools early in the
Spring, and entered the army.
There has been an unjust prejudice
against female teachers in many districts
which has been an INJURY even to good
teachers. | am happy to say, that the
female teachers of this county, have, in
main, succeeded remarkably we'll There
are not few superior teachers whose
schools it is a real pleasure to visit. That
there are some who have not succeeded,
as teachers, and probably never will, is ad-
mitted. The same also, may be said of
male teachers. 1t is time that this preju-
dice should be removed, inasmuch as in
the future, we must depend to great ex-
tent, upon females as teachers.
The views and feelings of parents are
imbibed by the children, and hence, how
seriously the labors of the best teachers
may be counteracted when such preiudi-
ces exist. lam well satisfied shat the in
PRODUCTION of female teachers into our
schools, will be productive, in the future,
of the happiest results. The valuable ex-
perience, and the knowledge of human
nature which they must inevitzbly ac-
quire, in such work, will admirably fit
them for the not less important relation
they may hereafter sustain.
vIsITATIoNs.
The Schools are open, on an average,
about 5 months. To visit 213 schools, in
that time, more than once, is not to be ex-
pected. 1t was my determination TO visit
all at least once, and as many a second
time, as possible. Had the schools been
open when [ was visiting, | would have
succeeded in getting into every one Ow-
ing to sickness, and other causes, some Of
which were entirely inexcusable, several
Of the schools were not in operation when
| reached the districts in which they were
located. One teacher had dismissed at
noon toattend a froIic; another had gone
to visit the school of Sister, &c | re-
spectfully suggest that no teacher should
close-his school, unless for very import
ant reasons. For the former of these ca
sos, had secured the company of di-
rector, and had travelled several miles,
and found the school closed for stch a
reason! / did not fail to administer, by
letter, suitable reproof In ALL visit
ed 200 schools, and spent, on an average;
about ! J hours in each school. In these
visits | observed closely the method pur-
sued by the teacher, and when necessary,
made such suggestions as seemed proper.
An address, not cxceediue / 0 minutes, in.
variably closed the visit which was listen
ed to, generally, with good attention. In
] the visitation of schools, there is great
want of interest on the part of many di-
rectors and parents. 1t is of vital i'm
portance to the prosperity of the school.
DISTRICT INSTITUTES,
It is to be regretted that there are any
districts in the county in which no Dis
trict Institutes have been required. In
nearly all they have been established, and
have been successfully conducted. A few
have been of more than ordidary interest
and have secured the favor and attend.
auce of both directors and citizens. Some
have evinced but little life, and, conse.
quently, have exerted but little or no in
fuence for good. There is, | believe, q
gradual improvement in public feeling
towards them Time, patience and actiy.
ity on the part of their friends, will bring
them into popular favor. There are diff
culties to be overcome, but these are moi
insurmountable. | have been highly graf
fled to see the faithfulness of many fe.
male teachers in their attendance upon
the Institutes. Bad roads and rough
weather have been no impediments. In
some districts, schools are held during the
forenoon, conducted by the teacher, as on
ordinary occasions, teachers, directors and
parents being spectators The afternoon
is devoted to the proper exercises of the
Institutes. An excellent repast is usual.
ly provided for the recess at noon, which
adds much to the interest and comfort Of
the occasion. In this connection, | beg
leave to say, that | have observed ten
dency, in the Institute, to become simply
class drills, in which. the teacher only
travels over an old, we'll beaten track.
have endeavoredto to directattention to this
and to urge the assignment, in advance, ,of
subjects requiring careful study by which
the mind may be trained, and additional
knowledge of the branches taught obtain
| ed