Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-01-27
THE RUTLAND HERALD.
MONDAY, JANUARY "a, 1870.
Otter Crock valley Teachers Asso.
citation.

The Otter Greek Valley Teachers AS
sociation, assembled in ils first annual
meeting at the Congregational Church in
Manchester, on Friday, January 81, 1860,
at II O'Clock a. m, the President Henry
Clark of Rutland, in dthe chair; Rev.
Lewis A. Austin Of Manchester, Secre-
0tary. Prayer was offered by Rev. Joseph
d. Wiokham, d. d., of Manchester.
After the organization Of the Associa-
ton, the President delivered brief in
troductory address uren "The Requisites
Of Character demanded in the Teacher
for the Times"
He commenced ty an expression of his
qualification that 80 large an attendance
. ~ teachers and friends of education
$ greeted the association at its first annual
gathering, hoping that the inspiration
Gthat woul be gathered from its proceed
(ings, might quicken the earnest teachers
In the performance of the lators Of their
profession, and excite the friends of edn-
q cation with.a the limits of the association
- more spirited action in the maintain
Ctsncs and encouragement of our pablo
schesls. ASl outline of the objects and a
history of Inc formation Of the association
were given. 1t was particularly crafty
ing to him that the first meeting of the
association sheT1A be held at Manchester,
y the place Of his early school days and I'M
deE) the shadow of that institution of
learning, Burr Seminary, that had con-
tributed so much to the education of the
children of the State, and in the promo
tiovA Of the cause of education in the
valley which comprised the limits of our
field of labor, and especially after an alb
sence of quarter Of century to listen
to me voice of his instructor venerable
in years and honors-invoking the divine
blessing upon the deliberations of this
association.
The speaker said he came from the la
bors of busy life to present few sug-
gestions as to characteristics that should
mark the teacher of the presentItime.
l-0Afte8 considering the peculiar tenden-
sies of the present busy age he proceeded
to discuss the following points, mainly
aiming to present such features that the
teachers and friends of education might
more earnestly seek for such attributes as
shall fit them eminently for the duties
laid upon them: o.
First. The present period demands
teachers of broad, deep. enlarged, ready
intelligence
Second The tendencies of the age call
for teachers of promptness, decision, en-
ergy and effort.
IhSrd. The teachers which the exigen-
cies of the hour call for should possess
simple, strong, vivid, oleer,i commanding
confidencees-a confidence that will bring
them in close contact with the living re-
alities of the society and the circumstance
which surrounds them. ..
The address concluded with an appeal to
the friends of education especially to strive
a to keep pace with the spirit of the edu-
0cational progress C. the age, and labor so
as to meet the demands levied upon them,
8So a. to fulfill their mission, promote the
welfare of society, the generation they
instruct, the world and the schools and
we'll being of the commonwealth in which
D they dwelt and labored.
Al the conclusion of the address, the
Association adjourned until 1 / o'clock D. m.
AFTERNOON.
3 The discussion on Graded Schools"
ahich had been postponed from the morn
Ing session, took place.
1t was opened by Judah Dana, Princi-
"a of the Rutland Graded School He
considered the dangers that were threat
ening our public school system, in the
diminished number of native born citizens
and the spread of infdelity and papaoy.
Thee facts should stir the people up to
the duty of giving greater attention to
q, and eGNr18 in behalf of our common
Shoots. The concentration and union of
small school districts in the graded school
system secures better teachers and more
time and Attention to the pupils in the
several departments. An experience AZ a
teacher in Vermont for twenty four years
had convinced him of the necessity feas-
Utility an68 usefulness OF the graded
schools of a community under one man
agement, all supported at public expense,
gave high school to every town and he
would follow out the system to larger re-
suits, that of establishing means for high
eY culture on the same basis of a college
in every Sounty and a university in every
State, all supported at the public expense.
AZ, Rev. DR.. WickhaIn of Manchester, fol-
lowed, endorsing the@positions taken by
Mr.. Dana, especially in reference TO the
dangers that threaten our common school
from the various sectarian agencies that
are beiI K put in operation to undermine
them. He most heartily approved OF the
graded school SYSTEM.
y Rev. +. w. Olmstead spoke of the value
Of graded schools in bringing larger num-
bers within the reach of teachers who
were qualified for their work The graded
school supplied desired want of orr dis.
tricNschool system, that of proper classif-
cation. This system throws the control
of our publio school into the hands of
those better qualified 60 direct them.
Should graded schools universally prevail
\ it would place good ones within the reach
Of all scholars.
Mr.. Leavenworth dissented somewhat
from the position of the preceding SPEAK
ers. He thought there was yet q neces-
sity I'D work for the Academy to do.
There was such thing az grading al
school to death. There was difficulty
in grading the smaller scholars and
thotvSht the number of classes might be
diminished even under the present sy stem.
He would not, however, ty his remarks be
, Serstood as making opposition to the
SD school system.