Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1869-12-31

IN
rare thing for one of them to visit the school
and form an opinion at first hand. We have
h known teachers, reported excellent, whom we
would not employ at any price, or at no price
q We have known some who we're universally
praised BY their patrons, and yet their pupils
made no visible progress from term to term
D; The little mill of a school went round and round
every day for year, and yet ground nothing.
le And what was the secre: +? The teacher was
pleasant, cheerful, fond of children, heard les
sons punctually, bestowed her praises literally,
and taught just none at all She KEEP; the chill
dren out of mischief and the parents way for
six hours Of every day,-in one word was an
excellent dry nurse
We do not imagine that a single tenn in a
Normal School will fit any one and every one
: for teaching; bat we do hold that this training
when superseded to a proper High School or
Academic course of study is of great service,
What would X. think Of a lawyer who had never
read law? How would he Ike to place his life
in the hands of a physician who had never taken
a degree in medicine? And is there no such
thing as an Art Of Teaching? Is it impossible
to make direct preparation for this delicate work,
this high profession, Or does skill in this de-
partment alone come by nature and direct grace
of God. If y is right in thinking Training
Schools Of small account, then Vermont and
nearly all the Northern States, to say nothing of
Canada. France, England, Germany, etc, are
in the wrong. 1t may be that Normal School
graduates sometimes manifest a little conceit.
We have heard this sail, and we have sometimes
seen signs Of it. We have seen palmer indcl-
tons of conceit, however, in the case Of ig-
norant hut experienced teachers who we're
innocent Of all Normal School training
As to the charge that the pupils Of the Normal
Schools 'attend them with a strong sectarian
bias We have no knowledge. II it be true,
their parents must be responsible. We suppose
We have seen manyof these pupils, but cannot
say whether they were Sandemanians or not. |
To be frank, we did not care to ask, and lid not
think We had any business to ask. As to the |
sectarian character of the schools themselves, it /
is enough to say that they are State Institutions,
Ike the University; AMI SO Christian, bat not /
denominational
That there has been any intentional unfair
ness in examinations, we do not believe. That
certain candidates have cheated, We know very
well; that some dishonest candidates succeeded,
We also know; but that is their sin, and not that
ofthe Superintendents, Who knew it only after the
certihoates were granted. a word about the - ST.
tellites we happen to have information that
those who reyolved nearest and oftenest and
most anxiously about the superintendent were
precisely those who were found wanting when
the hour came to test them.
A word, too, about "impositions' 1t was
too bad, perhaps, TO require an examination Of
those who had taught for years and years with
out any, save a merely formal one. TX. or
any body else, wishes to know what standard
was SCI, and whet questions were asked, through
nearly every town in this county, let him con-
suit his own Town Superintendent The young
man or woman that could not answer fair pro
portion Of the questions should certainly not be
allowed to enter public school, save as q pupil
iost people viii be able to imagine other reasons
Why these "satis.actory'' AMI ''ezpcriaacel''
teachers did not submit to an examination.
besides the one which y hints AZ,
IfN. means by his last question 70 ask if there
is any danger ofprocuring too good teachers: We
reply, judging from what knowledge We have Of
school matters in this county and State, .Nothe
last Chittenden County, and Vermont too, are
q whole generation behind other sections Of the
Union, if estimated in regard to publ, schools
and public school teachers.
One word more for Y whom We imagine 20 be
the Prudential Committee Of "No - You :
are familiar with the School Law. Of course It
is your duty [Seot go Sc to see that all append
ages and things necessary for the advantage Of a
TIE school, be provided IS at the expense ofthe
District, As wei as 'to adopt all requisite mea-
'ares for the Improvement Of the scholars in (
elrning." Pardon US il we append brief E
'ateohism. chiefly taken from the s. .aool Raris- c
er Il
I. What Books Of Reference dictionaries.
;lzetteers, eneyelopc has. Gc.) belong to Jour h
chool
>. Has your school "a Globe /.
8. Has your school any Outline Maps |
I. Has your school a Clock .
5. Has your school Thermometer
6. How many visits were made by the Pru- c,
entail Committee last term? a.
Z. Has the scbool-room any arrangement for
'eutilation other than by lifting tie windows or
pening the doors
s. Has the school-house convenient Wood
ouse attached; and does it contain proper N
lPply Of good dry fuel p
9. Is the condition Of the school-house. furai- u
ire, &c. good, or unfit for the purpose M
10. Has the school-house sufficient amount ar
say 40 to 100 square feet-of good Black al
5ard til
II. Are the neeiiul out-builiings provided; II
Id are they kept in a clearly and proper con- +,
tion? ~
If all these questions can be tsfactorily an ed
Iered then viii We believe that y. is earnestly ST
I'd practically IS in favor high and thorough
ucstion." We do not really desire him. it %
ay be well to add to send Us his answers 10 all m
ese interrogations. We have written them not in
ore for the benefit of No, than for that Of sh
cry other school in the county. We desire to II
mind the Prudential Committees Of their pow r.
and their duties, and have chosen to DO it in III
is way. We trust they will use the large mea- tu
re Of power which is by law ntrustal to them, clC
d " do their duty" 1t is their duty to see bu
at most Of the above questions can be answered il'
the affirmative. They cannot shift it upon 10y
rents,or the teacher, or even the district The in.
W has made it their duty. bo