The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1877-02-16
Normal school Nvork.

Teachers Associations, and by the
Educational Journals of the land, than
the inquiry concerning the Legitimate
work of the Normal School. Upon
several points there prevails general
agreement. The end to be sought,
in all the regulatiVe and governmental
arrangements Of Normal School, and
in all its class work and general or
specific instruction, is the preparation
of the teacher for his work, all admit
and maintain. But at what point in
a course of study the Normal curricu-
lum should commence, how extensive
its course or courses of study should
be, and how much time should be Civ
en- 10 instruction in matter as well as
method, these are still to some ex-
tent open questions, to be answered
Variously according to the system
adopted, or the educational status of
the State or section of the State, in
which the school is established. With
regard to making the Normal School
purely professional in its instruction,
facts 60 to prove that even in the old
est eastern states, where high schools
and grammar schools abound, this Is
as yet impractlcable. The teacher pu-
pill must be thoroughly and correctly
taught the principles and facts of the
knowledge he is to Impart, as well as
right methods, or the latter will prove
Of little value for his daily work in the
school room. But large per cent. OF
pupils applying for admission to the
Normal School, are deficient in this
requisite knowledge. They must Ell
ther be rejected, or oe re-tanght the
elements OF their academic or high
shchOOl education. In the west, with
few academies or high-schools, and
mach defective and vicious instruction
in the common school, this practical
difficulty is still greater. Manifestly,
at present, and for some time to come,
Normal Schools must perform much
academic work. One preparatory year
at least, must form part of its elemen-
tary course OF stady. If the Normal
School is to prepare teachers for all
grades of public schools, then its high
er courses of study should include net
only instruction in the elements of
knowledge, but in addition culture and
training in higher mathematics, scien-
ces, etc. These are necessary, both for
the proper education of the teacher to
fit him for his niger sphere of work, by
giving him breadth and solidity of cul-
ture, and also that he may teach these
branches of learning as acquired in the
higher grades of the public schools.
II, In the Agricultural College, a de-
partment of modern languages, and q
department of instrumental music are
deemed desirable for the education of
the farmers sens and daughters, (see
annual reporti then surely the profess
sional teacher should be sharer in
such accomplishments. No class of
persons educated by the State should
receive a more thorough and complete
education, than the men or women
who propose to give their life service
in return, in the education of the chill
dren of the State. True Normal School
work will constantly keep in view, in
every form and grade of instruction,
the fundamental fact, that the end OF
all its educational appliances and labor
is to prepare the teacher for his respOn-
sible vocation. For this end, physical,
intellectual, neral and religious agen-
cies and influences, are all demanded.
The teacher, who is so largely to mold
State, should himself be a model man
or woman-truly well edacated-vers-
ed in correct methods of instruction
competent to govern and to influence.
These educational principles and meth
DDS have characterized the work OF the
Normal School at EmPoria, we believe,
to larger extent than in the majority
of the Normal schools of the country.
While in the nature of the case much
preparatory and academic instruction
has been gwen, still, in all of this work,
the governing idea has been present,
and has given tone and direction to
every recitation. In actual profess
siOnal work, as required In the course
of study, that of the Emporia Normal
will compare fsvorably with any Nor
NAL School in America. In addition
to this, special professional culture and
training in the form of lectures and
general drill exercises have been q
marked feature in every weeks work.
The regulatiVe and governmental ar
rangements of the school are each and
all adopted and directed with special
reference to the preparation of the pu-
pill teacher for his duties. At no time
has this true Normal work been more
faithfully and rigidly pursued than du-
ring the present school year. AL
though temporarily deserted by the
State, the President, under the direc-
tiOa Of the Board of Regents, has car
ried on, successfully, the legitimate
work of the Normal, fitting a large
class of young men and women ter
their future fields OF labor in the pub
lie schools of the State.
CHANGE OF BAsE.-Casper Ellison has
changed his location from RYAN & Con-