The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-07-22
Private Normal schools.

There is a branch of education in the
state of Indiana which is deserving word
of mention, although it is in part of a pJi-
vate character, and for this reason is not
counted in, as one may say, with the
educational forces of the state.
Yet it has direct bearing
on the efficiency of public schools, and is of
no trifling value as an auxiliary to the work
fthe state. Reference is made to what are
termed Normal Schools, the prin-
eipal design of which is to
trains and qualify teachers for
their special work. These school terms are
from four to six weeks in duration, and this
is the season when they are in full blast,
taking advantage of the long summer vaca-
tons of the public schools Memoranda
have not been kept to state just
how many of these normal schools
are now in operation in the various counties,
but the number is quite large. They differ
from the ordinary county teachers institute
in several respects. While they deal with
the same material, that is the common
school teachers, or those intending to become
such, they are longer in duration,
they 90 over a wider field of study and
more in detail, and they are private enter
prisse, supported by tuition. Two motives
conspire to create these private schools, both
of which tend strongly to make them highly
effective. First, the teachers, or pro-
prietors of these normal schools
are persons of some eminence
and superior qualifications in the science
and art OF teaching, who desire by extra
labor to turn the summer months to some
account pecuniarily. Sometimes one or
two and sometimes a larger number
of professionals in normal work
unite to carry on a four or six
weeks session at favorable
point, in most cases aided and encouraged by
the county superintendent of schools. This
is the first side. or motive, to make little
money. But in order to do this, the schools
must be good, for, depending alone on their
merits and popularity, and assuming to teach
the teachers, many of whom have no mean
opinion of themselves, none but really able
leaders and well conducted schools can win
success. On the other hand, the desire and
zeal of our teachers, their enthusiasm in
the profession are so strong aud overmas-
tering that they eagerly consent to waive
the pleasures OF vacation spent in
leisure and recreation, and, still
further. they pay their money to secure
the advantages of good instruction and
mutual consultation. 1t is credissble to the
teachers, creditable to the state
and hopeful for public schools that
there is sufficient ambition 70 become
good teachers to support these normal
schools. The benefit primarily to the
teachers and refecIively to the public is
very great. The teachers are sharpened in
their scholarship. sharpened i'll habits of
thought, corrected in theories, kindled
with professional pride and tempered up
like steel blades for their work
among the children and young people.
Many of the schools secure the services OF
the best lecturers on theory and practice in
the country. the methods of good teaching
are put into practical operation, reg.
ular and hard study is exacted, and
to crown all, the members have
"a good time together, lay the
foundations of delightful friendships and
memories. and once in q while a musty