Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1867-07-24
LETTER FROM JOHNSON.

/ is alive to whatever concerns inc Puo'''
i. good, will you permit me in behalf Of TIT
, Trustees Of the State Normal School al
johnson. to lay few facts and thoughts
before the people of this Congressional
+ District.
1t is probably known to all, that, dur
ing the session of the Legislature last
9 year. an Act was passed, establishing q
State Normal School at Randolph, and
providing for the establishment Of one il
each of the other Congressional Districts
Last February the Board Of Edu"atiou
located the school for this DISTRICT al
johnson, in place Of the Lamoille County
Grammar School, and it went into opera
ton at the beginning Of the Spring Term.
The Act providing for the establishment
Of these Schools had its origin in wide
ly felt want in our District Schools Many
teachers of native tact and skill, had moi
within their reach, the means of properly
fitting themselves for teaching. Our
Academies aud High Schools did not fur.
nish the required facilities, as it seemed
to be their mission to take the student into
the higher departments of learning; and
these being their only resource. it ne,essa-
rily followed that our teachers could not
obtain that thorough knowledge ofelemcn.
tary principles. and that acquaintance
with e hods of teaching, which are essen
tial to success 10 that vocation.
Hence the necessity Of just what the
Normnl System contme, lates. The whole
course Of instruction is arranged with re-
ference to fitting teachers for their work.
1t takes them on from the very elements,
step by step as they are alla to proceed.
through the prescribed courses, in such
manner as to render them masters of their
subjects, and thus enable them to teach
these subjects. to tho hest advantage
There are two courses of study provided
for; one embracing all the subjects taught
in common schools, and the other the
Highe: English branches.
Among the many advantages which the
Normal System presents, these three are
Of great weight. First, the teachers are
brought together, with their minds direc.
ted to the single object of their work as
teachers, which will excite an interest that
could not otherwise be secured. Second,
many who wish to teach, have not large
resources pecuuiarily. and cannot afford
large outlay at school t.; but they can en-
ter the Normal School. find classes Just
meeting their wants, and without any
break, as in all Academies. they can pur.
sue steady cour Sc till fitted for their
work. whether 1t be in two terms or two
years. Here is such saving of time and
money, as to place thorough preparation
within the reach of many who could Sc
cure it in no other way. Third. 1t is in.
tended that the facilities for affording
that peculiar instruction needed by teach
ers, shall i'll the Normal Schools, be supe-
rior to those Of any other schools in the
State. Thus greater results may be secur.
cd by the Normal Student, with given
expenditure oftime and money. than could
otherwise be obtained.
While the Normal School thus affords
peculiar advantages to those fitting them.
selves for teaching, its course is also of
the greatest value to the general student
as here he has an opp ortunity of going on
through we'll digested and we'll arran-
yed course of study in SUCH a manner az
10 give him the greatest possible results
for his labor. For the present also. pro-
visions is made for the classics which any .
'ne can pursue in connection with the I
Normal Course. IL
The Normal School in this State is an
experiment. and what its future may be,
depends. in great measure. upon the
course pursued by the friends Of education.
It they give it their influence and support,
IL
'elpipg to obtain such changes in the
ystem from the Legislature. as time and
experience may dictate, we feel assured |,
hat the oouse Of Education will be more !;
dvauced thereby than by any other means. ?
he system at all events. should have a
air trial and the friends Of Education
q this District, and especially those in 9
his county, where the School is located, a
hOuld give it that cordial support, which a
he interests at stake demand. G
The School has already been in success. J
ul operation two terms, and one Glass has 6
raduated. The Public a,e most cordially !,
invited to visit the School at any time, o.
nd see for themselves the practical work. Q,
ng Of the system. Ct
Yours most truly. N
II D. Hodge, for Ex. Com. e,
IHE LADY's FRIEND. FOR AUGUST. The ~
u0uek s,u.u L.. e Al 4. i