The Portland daily press., 1867-11-28
State Il ducationnI Convention.

~ s-'JA'nl -, LEWISTON, Nov q, 1857
To the Editor ofthei Press - alo~l i5izT7 =
My report of yesterday brought the proceed
ings of the Convention down to Tuesday
st,f. TUESDAY AFTERNOON.
Committee on Constitutions and Bylaws
reported. Final action on the report was
postponed until after the addresses 10 t--' A.
ADDRESS OF MIR. A. P. STONE OF PoRTLANd
"How shall successfully discharge my du-
ties?" is the question every teacher asks him
self. In reply Mr.. Stone said he would offer a
few practical suggestions 80 t',''I' 'A''s 'N
What constitutes success? Not glittering
show mot the simple fact that the teacher is
popular with the pupils. There may he show
without substances anditis not always merf-
torious work that gives the teacher popularity
with his scholars Nor is popularity without
a sure criterion that the work is we'll done
within the schoolroom.a A successful schools
one which is well governed and we'll taught.
A school is well governed where obedience
Is secured by the evident consent OF the pupil
and is not forced. Discipline and instruction
depend mainly upon the teacher, AS the
teacher, so the school, whatever the books
whatever the outside influence
Enthusiasm This is one of the essential ell
ements of good teacher. All the real work
ers of the world, whether reformers, whether
devoted to science, literature, discovery or the
fine arts, have been enthusiastic. "A we'll tenn
pered zeal is, then, one of the chief requisites
Of a good teacher An INDECENT teacher has
no right to complain of INDECENT pupils, A
.l,o hoob
The teacher who possesses glowing enthusi-
asm will make it resemble -hive-wiTl
have no occasion to complain of inactivity on
the part of the scholars. Enthusiasm, howey-
er, must not be mistaken for hustle for uproar,
Boisterous teachers never succeed D1''i-ilA ~
But school may be too stil for profit Still
ness is not an object but means A death
like stiffness cannot be profitable. About the
beehive there is ever the steady hum of activ-
ity. So there mustbe about the school-room.
There must be moving of books, states, PEN
cils-coming in and going out, movements ft
various purposes. When there is only the
amount of necessary noise, the school is still
It is not torpid silence, .,.l. ..,... ,-r
Independence. The teacher must be indie
pendent: his methods must be his own, vet
not necessarily different from those of every
body else. He must be master OF his methods.
and that makes them his own. He is not
their slave. The teacher must set his pupils
to thinking for themselves thus making them
independent too. In the rendering of assist
anc much iudicious care must be exercised
Here much harm or much good may be DONE
Be watchful, be iudicious; make the scholar
an independent thinker just as tar as possible,
. Tact To become successful the teacher
must possess tact. Tact will manage pupils
better than talent. Tact, while being as firm.
as talent, is more adroit. But all men have
not tact, and all men cannot teach successful
ly, no matter how much they may know. 81.
Sullen boys, Unless excessively bad, bad
boys should not be expelled from school. Nine
tenths of those expelled are rendered worse
thereby. Tact will not treat all boys alike. 1t
will not require too much work of sullen boys
who are usually dull. These boys should re-
'elve confidence. There should be little admo-
ili'on, little corporal punishment 1t is al
noSt useless to fog sullen boys,--for, like
are conquered N - - IIoi Ut Wv .
Active, restless boys. Tboao lows arc ~ ant a.
mischief, it is Impossible to Eoon 49, 80 All
ct as other pupils. They can do o,oat d 1o.,1
and tact will give them occupation. Thew
must not be let alone They cannot he
crushed. Tie law Of their nature is expansive
and upward. They must therefore be ied-be
aiured onward. For this work patience and
forbearanoe are required .ifs "a llgt sea-.
Sympathy. This is an important element OF
success; it lies at the foundation Of all good
understanding between teacher, and pupil.
Good understanding is an indispensable condi-
ton. OF good goyernment-of success. The
teacher indeed must be supreme in the school
room; yet there must be a mutual recognition
of rights Young minds learn to read charac-
ter long before they learn the multiplication
table IoEards pupils no jesuitical attitude
should be assumed. Msdemeanors should not
be allowed, in order to see how far the pupils
Will trespass and then to pounce upon them
suddenly. This is treachery and there should
be none Of that. q ~ y. a.- ..5- -.
lmprldence. Be on the guard against this
"' all tunes. Threats should not precede mis-