The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-10-11
Teach ers' Institute at GofhnM'
rrrr rAY-EyEN1Fo SESSION,

frb;s evening; the last of the Institute, was |
occupied BY a discussion upon the examination
and certifcatng of teachers. The discussion
was opened by Mr.. Stone Of Portland. He
said the idea was very prevalent that if teach
er could pass an examination before the COM
mittee, he or she was fit to keep school, He
thought very much more should be required.
The first requisite in a teacher is to be gem
tleman or lady. There is also q kind of tact
which every teacher should possess, which en-
ables its possessor to manage a school without
the effort by which he does it being apparent.
He thought this could be acquired by study
In regard 10 merely literary attainments he
thought examinations were much too lax. Com
mittees do not have a sufficiently high standard.
Mr. Stones first examination was in N. H.,
and he had but one question asked him. II
teachers are allowed to get the idea that exam
nations are a farce, they are not, to blame for
being superficial IF people are willing to take
poor workmen it is not to be expected that the
workmen will spend much time in an appren-
ticeship Mr.. E. p. Weston followed Mr.
Stone. He admitted that the committees in
many of our towns were not what they should
be, but lie thought them in general better quail
flied for their business, than was the opinion of
Mr.. johnson, expressed the previous evening.
Committees often seemed to feel that if
teacher had been engaged, they must give him
certificate, very few inquire at all whether
the teacher is able to meet the requirements Of
the law. No person should go into school
room who is not able to guide his pupils in
patriotism, good morals, decent manners, SC.
He said guide, but he meant drive, if that were
necessary. He might be old-fashioned but he
believed that for some boys "birch" was better
than milk and water.
Mr.. Weston was followed by the Rev. DR..
Shailer of Portland, who said he had had many
years. experirece in teaching The Doctor
had not been let off so easily as the gentleman
who had preceded him. He thought he had
sweat as much during seven hours examina-
ton as he ever did in his life; and yet after it
was over the committee knew nothing of him
except as to his intellectual attainments-He
| thought teacher fit for the vocation who
thinks only of the salary. There should be a
love for children, love of the work, and a
strong desire to excel in it. A teacher needs
not to pour in, but to draw out knowledge
DR.. Gordon was the next speaker; his remarks
were similar in tone.
Mr.. johnson, who followed, addressed himself
to the town committees, giving some practical
hints as to the best manner of exercising their
Important function. His remarks closed the dis
cussion, which was very interesting, aud was
closely listened to by very large audience.
The proceedings concluded with vote of
thanks to Mr.. Webb, for his earnest endeavor to
make the Institute pleasant and profitable
one, to the citizens of Gorham for their hospi-
tality, and to the different railroad companies
for their liberality and kindness. This meet
ing of the Institute has been q profitable,
agreeable. and eminently satisfactory one:
and all who have had the privilege OF attend
ing have enjoyed it highly. The interest Of
the discussions, the harmony of the proceed
ings the hospita lily of the people, the beauty
of the weather, all have combined to make the
occasion one to be long and pleasureably re-
| membered