The Union and journal., 1869-10-01
Our Common Schools.

The Teachers Institute opened in thi
city on Monday but owing to the inter
regnum of Supervisors, the proper ar
rangements were not and perhaps coult
not be made, and consequently the frs
two days were not so well attended or Sc
interesting rs might have been wished
Mr.. johnson. the State Superintendent
was detained by illness and DIR. True did
not arrive until Tuesday. But the inter
est has been increasing, rs well rs the at'
tendance, and much good has been oh.
tanned and much valuable information
gained. Mr.. Mabry. the new Supervisor,
enters into his work with zeal and indus
try, and f.vorably impressed rs we are
with the appointment we have no doubt
but that he will prove to be the right man
in the right place. To succeed he must
have the united and hearty support Of the
friends of education in the county which
will be given him.
The exercises have consisted Of exem-
plary methods Of teaching the different
branches taught in our schools, and the
faults of many methods shown up and
criticised; while these exercises have been
varied by scientific and interesting lee
lures by DR.. True and Prof. Cruttenden.
The beginning for higher method of
conducting our schools has been made,
and rs other Institutes will be held in diff
ferent portions Of the county to give all
teachers equal opportunity to attend, we
may reasonably expect our schools to
show greater efficiency.
The time has come when every person
having child to educate begins to feel
that he has work to do to fit that child
for n respectable position in life. But he
finds it necessary to put his child under
teachers in our public schools. What n
work for the teacher Are our teachers
gratiied TO take these children committed
TO their care and excite In their minds q
love for study direct them in the most
economical use Of time in school; give
them that practical knowledge that shall
fit them for any position they may be
called upon to occupy in life, and infusc
n love for study that their studies shall be
an ornament to them all the way through
life?
We have some good teachers, some SUI
perior teachers among us, who can do all
this, and are doing 1t. Such teachers are
of untold value to any school. We have
another class who would make good teach
crs. IL they could have models Of instruc-
tion set before them. They are walking
in old and worn out ruts. They need to
be liftcd out of them and told where and
when to go. Such teachers should visit
other schools and see how they are man.
aged. attend those powerful agencies, the
Teachers Institute. and read books on
Teaching. We believe If this city would
not only allow. but compel all its teach
ers TO visit each others schools one half
day in two weeks for year to come, that
that agency alone would elevate the schools
In the city twenty-five per cent. There is
nothing so powerful on the mind rs cx-
ample, and the good teacher will show
Il. There is no estimating the difference
between n very good and very poor
teacher. and hence good teachers should
receive every possible encouragement.
Our country schools are many of them
suffering for want of good teachers. Too
many of the teachers are afraid to talk,
to make use Of familiar objects for Illus
trating arithmetic. grammar and geogra-
ply. They need to be able to talk fast so
rs to catch the eye and ear Of every child
before them in an instant. and thus
keepup an increasing interest in the school.
The friends Of education feel much en-
couragcd in the belief that better state
Of things is to exist in all our schools, 50
that the humblcst child shall enjoy the
best possible advantage for securing an
education. Some of the best educators In
the State are hard at work to bring about
this result. 1t cannot be done in mo-
ment. but that it win succeed we have
not shadow of doubt.
These remarks have been suggested by
listening to the lectures to the teachers,
and we trust that there will be no cessa-
ton on the part of teachers and parents
to labor to bring about much needed
improvement in our common schools.