Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1874-05-28
TEACHERS COLUMN.
CLAY wooD, EDITOR.

TEACH EKS, COL u nj N.
CLAY WOOD, EDITOR.
ATTENTION, TEACHERS!
Our arrangements for the Teachers Nor
NAL Institute, to be held in Ottumwa this
summer, commencing on the 20th of July,
and ending August l4th, are about perfected.
Our conductors have been secured, and
their names ratified by the Superintendent
Of instruction, at Des Moines. Our success,
thus far, has been unparalleled. The State
has given US fifty dollars, the county one
hundred, and not to be outdone in liberali-
ty. the board Of directors of the Ottumwa
public school, have voted us the use Of
their building free Orient. At the outset
these things looked like real obstacles in
our way. but they '.have been met and
passed. Minor details will DO attended to
in the order Of their coming, and circular
from this office will be sent to each teacher,
informing him Of the plan corporations, to
be followed in the Normal course. We
may publish the same in the teacher col
lmn.
We hope that the objection, which has
existed hitherto in the minds OF many, will
be met and silenced by the provisions of
the present law. There will be but few
schools in the county in session at this heat
cd time Of the year-there ought to be none
Ito be interfered with, and those that may
be in session, will not be closed except by
order Of the board Of directovs,-so that
hundreds OF dollars will not be paid out to
teachers for the week spent at the Institute.
The burden Of expense will fall on the teach
er himself. After the present year it will cost
each teacher in the county, at least two
dollars, to defrsy those incidental expenses
growing out of the Institute.
The Crusade" against the educational
interests Of the masses, we mean that which
aims itself against high scages Of teachers,
teacher5 Iastitwtes, and county super
vision, will meet with little sympathy; and
that little from the less enlightened portion
of the community, for whose benefit these
things are, in the minds oflegislators, and
educators, ulteriorly intended. There are
those who are truly honest in their oppose
ton to institutes, who, ifthey could be per-
suaded to spend even day at well con-
Quoted one and see the earnest work Of the
teacher pupils, would cease to speak evil,
and would learn TO speak we'll; would cease
10 "turn the cold shoulder" and would, in-
stead, extend the warm right hand.
We think it strange that we find any dis
enlargement. We are trying to elevate the
teachers profession. The times demand
better teachers. The common schools de-
mand better teachers, and it is hoped that
every school director, every prominent man
in community, every father interested in his
children, will catch the inspiration Of the
hour, and assist in getting up an education
al revival, Immediately after the Normal,
We wish 70 have something like M institute
organized in every township in the county.
There will be work for every wide-a-wake
teacher, and for advanced pupils, and for
sons public spirited men who are never a.
slssp when soma great good is being at.
tempted. But that matter will be attended
10 in its season, ~
Now, fellow teachers, speak often about
this matter. Work 1t up, and begin to
break up the old routine. Get out Of that
orbitin which you have moved ever since
yon have been teacher. Change is rest.
Variety h life. Sameness is not the law Of
the childs mind. send::yo pupils to the
board 70 draw pictures, and take the crsyon
aud show them how. Send them. to thu
brooks 70 gather shells and pebbles. Send
them to the fields and woods 10 gathel
plants and flowers. and classify them and
speak of their genus and species and "fami'
~ Telations.' / do not think that the eds4.
Gated physician would object, if you should
buy anatomical charts, and collect bones oil
the lower animals and should try to reveal
the wonders of organic existence to those
who are hunperinp and tbirstinO after "nr;.
mary truth, only the chsr,atan need trem.
bic. for tho pupil should know A. much a,
he. the teacher. more. Teacher. have ali
the pupils parents, and people in the neigh.
borhood to be present Friday afternoon and
If you do not feel able to interest then on
this matter, 70 to some physician and have
him % prepare a lecture and deliver the
..m.
o"','e'
our idesi OF sne True tescher ID tnat OF
worker, and one who sets oil about him t.
work. an organizer: a leader; a builder
NJ .,;,l b.v. tha f.rr,er tbe Doctor n.
:. ~. =.
Pseacnef' 'ne ls"yef' TUG eu''of snu esery'
body At work Tor him. Ho need not know
as much a Scion or Solomon, and vet be
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