The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-07-19
The OLD ACADEMIES.
"The Past and Future OF Education in Ohio.'
a. McGreaor. Esn...

a. McGregOr, Esq;
DEAR SIR-At the late meeting of the
Ohio State Teachers Association, at Put
in-Bay, high tribute was paid to your
self and your father as successful and
prominent educators in this State from
1885 to 1850. During the discussion of
the subject, "The Past and Future of Ed
ucation in Ohio" the work done in the
old academies of the period above refer
red to was spoken of in the highest terms,
and Prof. De Wolf, of Western Reserve
College, made special mention of the ex-
cellent work done in those days by the
McGregors in academies, with which he
was personally acquainted. We felt that
this was too good not to be mentioned
at home, hence this note.
Yours truly,
JILL.
Mr.. Lehman, superintendent of our
schools, has our thanks for the above
note, as also has our friend Prof De
Wolf for the kind mention. In the
spring Of 1884 the late John McGregor
took charge of the Wadsworth Academy,
and continued his career as a successful
teacher till shortly before his death in
lS4S. Many people are of the opinion
that there has been little or no improve
ment in the qualifications of the teachers
ofcountry schools within the past thirty
years, and hence the credit given to the
Academies of that period, where much
attention was given to students person
ally, and special efforts directed to indi-
vidual needs. The studying was mainly
done in the school room, and assistance
was usually at hand when wanted. This
prevented encouragement and promoted
thoroughness. There was little circum-
locution or red-tape-ism; butmuch direct
and vigorous work. All this tended to
develope thought rather than hippancy-
toimprovethe understanding rather than
encourage Conceit. The aim was to ex-
pand and enlarge the thinking powers,
rather than by too much memorizing,
weaken the judgment.
Great and laudable have been the inn
provements in public school buildings;
and generally, too, in the salaries paid
teachers; in fact, literally and largely do
our people pay for the education of the
youth of the State. We regret to gay,
however, that the prevailing opinion is,
that the good accomplished in the spread
of practical knowledge and general infor-
nation has not kept pace with the out
lay referred to-. If true, this.is to be re-
GREETED. The public schools are support
ed by the public, for the proper education
of the youth, both male and female,
Those necessary branches, 80 intimately
connected at this age of the world with
every day life, and the obtaining of a
livelihood, are certainly of paramount
consideration. The cultivation and de-
velopment of spirit of enquiry, and
thirst for knowledge through good books
are also of Importance. These are essen
tial and should never be sacrificed for
the non essential.
Our public schools are crowded with
the rising generation. Yearly are hund-
reds added to the enrolment, and yearly
do hundreds drop out. But how very
few go through the course and graduate |
In Canton the number averages less than
one dozen This shows laxity some-
where, melancholy to contemplate. I'm
doubleday, parental interest and attention
are lacking and here, let us say, that in
terest and attention may be promoted |
and much encouraged by the teacher,
and these are important parts of his ar
duous duties.
We have little hope for any material
improvement in country schools until per-
sons are properly prepared and trained |
for the business of teaching, and max it |
a profession. AS long as country teach
ers continue to be youth, who merely fol-
low it as means ofhelp till prepared for |
something else, there is no chance for
any great improvement in the condition
ofthese schools. The fact tis good teach.
ers make good schools; and good teach
ers must be men of knowledge, philoso-
ply and skill.