Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-11-22
Local ann State Nems.
Maine State Educational Association.
FIRST DAY.

The fourth annual session ofthe Maine Edu-
yesterday afternoon at four o'clock There was
not large attendance at the opening, on ac
count Of the bad travelling and threatening
weather.
The President, J. II. Hanson, Of Water
vile, in calling the Association to order, gave
brief address of welcome. He said that the
members of the Association engaged in
noble and a difficult work, and it is well to
compare notes, discuss methods, combine our
forces, and unity our efforts, that we may the
more speedily and effectually accomplish our
purposes. More teachers and better teaching
is the cry from every part of the land. Let
us do our utmost to answer the call. We
and our contemporaries are to be the teachers
for the next ten years BY the ferment and
clashing Of the opposing ideas in regard to
education, much truth is to be evolved which
shall furnish solid foundation on which our
successors will rear the Symmetrical! and beau
tiful proportions of the educational structure
for the next century. We, then, are the
sewers; future generations will reap the har-
NSst' WI. AlduSOu CiOSSu Will TWO UT tnTec
suggestions That special committee be
appointed to secure an appropriation from the
next Legislature to defray the expenses of the
Association; and the appointment of COM
mittee to consider the practicability of fixing
the time of the annual meeting in the month
of October, and of securing the cooperation
of school committees and college faculties in
r Al
time of meeting is for various reasons unfa-
vorable 10 large attendance.
paper was then read by G.. r. Fletcher
Principal of the Normal school, Castine, on
the subject elbow shall we increase the length
and efficiency of our district schools?" In
opening the question for discussion it was
granted that our district schools have in the
past done much good work, the condition
of the mass of the people to-day is conclusive
eyidence-that the welfare of the country and
the demands of the age require such changes
and improvements in our system as will make
it more Efficient power than it has been or is
that new energy and increased power has
been given to our school system by the legis-
lation of the past two years. TO be most eff
icient the present system of Supervisors and
Institutes should be established permanently.
The people demand such an education as will
develop the mental and material resources of
the State. More money is needed but the
people must be made to feel the necessity and
see that profit will follow before they will
open their pockets. We must make better
use of what We have, reduce the number of
districts, unite, classify and enlarge our
schools. More schooling can thus be secured.
The long vacation season neautralizes what is
gained during the short terms. The enabling
act to abolish the district and make the town
the unit, should be tried. The union graded
schools in village districts demons trates the
value that may be derived from this law.
County Supervisors and Institutes have awak-
ened much interest and done great good.
Teachers and scholars in different towns have
been brought into comparison, evils corrected
better plans adopted. experimenting school
committees should raise the standard of re-
quirements in these examinations of teachers
should inspect schools more thoroughly, criti-
else and advise teachers and bring them to-
gether in town institutes. Female teachers Of
culture and experience may be employed
through the year in many schools to great ad-
vantage, and the services of good teachers
should be retained by the district. Graded
certificates may tend to raise the standard of
requirements among the teachers.
These are influences outside the school
room to great extent The great work is
with teachers, they must prepare for the work,
must have ability and enthusiastic tact. Must
study daily for their duties demand fresh prep
aration, must be close students of mental
science and human physiology, must consider
the nature of the child and his relation to So
ciety and the government. Must know what
to teach and why they teach it. Must labor
to have such branches studied in our schools
as will discipline pupils and prepare them in
the best manner to meet the demands of the
age in which they live.
The teacher must not be an exponent of
books, but man Of ideas, one who has per-
sonal power and influence. His daily
work must possess unity with variety. He
should know, feel and express those principles
of true education which will make the next
RenerauOn wiser anu UctteT tndH tnose tnat
have gone before. The teachers work has
not been remunerative partly because it has
not been good. Make the quality be tier and
it will command better compensation. 1t is an
honorable work, none is more so, it is glori
Gus, society, government and humanity need it.
Public education is no experiment, it has
been the life blood of free institutions and the
people must feel it. France sees the need of
j.; the South feels it. Prussia boasts the
power and standing of her schools, but ours
are in some respects better-better in theory
for they have prestage of lberty-less of
despotism. In some respects hers are superb
or, it is our duty and privilege to excel them.
Teachers, 60 forth to your place in the dis
trict schools, develop then all the powers which
God has given you, mould i'm mortal mind,
lead the people to higher life; make the
l. O. g.