The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1877-12-13

terms OF school attendance are essential Il
learn the art of studying, and secure tht
ability to acquire knowledge; and muct
longer period is necessary to secure facility
| in the giving of instruction. Yet one term
! or even less, Of such attendance is looked
| upon as emitting the attendants to license:
to teach, and failure to obtain such is judg
! ei grievous fault in the examiner Ii
/ does net pay financially or educationally tc
/ attend school at distance from home
! until fair stage OF mental development is
reached. The best schools Of our county
afford every facility for the requirement OF
the rudlments of an education, and even
more extended opportunities are offered
by the several high schools. A person
who desires to attend the Oshkosh Normal
School should fit himself to enter the Nor
mai Department before leaving the county,
and If he can enter with o good standing,
ne benefits thereby,
Higher standings have in many eases
been obtained in Penmanship, Pronuncia-
ton, and the Constitutions, than in the
more important branches, Grammar, Geo
graphy, and the Arithmetics. While it is
desirable that every teacher have a good
knowledge Of the subjects first mentioned,
a good understanding of the latter is posi-
lively necessary to properly fit one to ent-
err the school room as an instructor, espec-
tally in country schools in which classes
of all grades are found. The teaching of
Grammar is neglected to a greater extent
than any other of the important studies in
our schools, owing to want of knowledge
of the subject by teachers. The study of
language in some form should occupy a
portion of the time Of every school.
The examination for certificates Of the
higher grades resulted in the granting of
one certificate of the First Grade, and six
of the Second Several of those obtaining
the latter will undoubtedly write for and
secure The former at the nezt examination.
These examinations are made of sufficient
difficulty to entitle the person succeeding
to credit for fair scholarship in the several
branches. The intention is that such
certificates shall be within the grasp only,
of those who are diligent and well inform
ed, and shall be mark of distinction, and
an honor to the possessors. Many of those
who now teach contentedly on Third
Grade Certificates could with effort advance
to a higher grade. That an instructor is
not needed is shown by reference to the
list of successful applicants, and 10y a
knowledge of the opportunities possessed
by not few of the persons whose names
are found therein.
The Institute held in the latter part of
August last, was one Of the best attended
and most fruitful in its results of the sew
eral that have been held in the county. 1t
was noticeable however, that many OF
those who have been long in the work OF
teaching were not in attendance. The
teacher who lives within himself, educa-
tiOnally, soon becomes fossil. New ideas
and new methods are constantly coming tC
! the suIf face, and he who would Ire pro-
! fessionally must come out and be, and er
change, with his ellow.laborers. If he
/ have coed ideas, duty requires that he
/ gives them circulation, and if he have
nothing within himself save that of the an
Gent district school origin, it is a duty
that he owes to those who may come unde,
/ his tuition, to become the possessor o
modernized ideas and thoughts. Many Of
tai awakening, and educational facilities
afforded. The attendants of but one o.
! two days however, received little benefit o
personal character, and but little credi
otherwise.
1t is The intention to have, d
! least, two sessions of the Teachers As
ISOLATION during the coming winter ant
spring, and it is hoped that large attend
ance will make each session successful
Teachers meetings are organized or ar
in process of organization in various part
of the county, and it will be to the interes
Of the every teacher to become a membe
of some one of these bodies. 1t is only b,
general membership and regular attend
.,
direction.
1t has been settled conviction for SOM
time past that minimum standing in eacl
branch should be required for limited GER
tifCates This is especially so in regard t
some of the subjects. l: is also believe
that the time has arrived when an advanc
in the average required for limited certlfi
Gates can be insisted upon. 1t was though
the teachers averaging near 40 would, q
their own motion, improve to such an ex-
tent as to bring about this change. Ex-
perience proves, however, that the possession
of the license is the chief end sought, an
that advancement will take place generally
only when teachers are forced to work 70
professional existence. The minimum c
80 required for Third Grade Certificate
: has had the effect to compel many to i'm
prove greatly, in one or more subject
that had previous to such requiremer
been entirely neglected. There are tho:
, at present engaged in teaching who wi
be unable to work up to a higher averaa
than they at present obtain without at
tending school, and a few of these are so sit
uated that such attendance is al impossible
ity. 1t is not questionable but that in ii
majority Of such cases, the persons shou
give up the work of attempting to teac
With many, other affairs monopolii
Al