The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-04-26
Maine Teachers Association.

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The second annual meeting of the Maine
Teachers Association was commenced at Re-
ception Hall last evening" There was good
attendance ADD very interesting session was
held. Among the prominent educators present
are w. j. Corthell, State Superintendent; c.
G. Rounds, Principal, Pennington Normal
School; j. Ell. Hanson, LII. D., Principal Wa
tervlle Classical Institute; Roiston Woodbury..
VIM. Harper aud Miss Jeanne Hayden of the
Pennington Normal School; j. Marshall
Hawkes., Principal Greedy Institute, Cumber-
land F. E. G. Robbins, Deering High School
Messrs. Tasb, Chase, Patten, Files and Dole of
this city; Rev. A W. Burr, Principal of Hal
lowell Classical Institute, and E. s. Morris of
Biddeford Grammar School.
The meeting was called to order BY G. Q.
Rounds, the President of the Association. The
Secretary being absent f. E. G. Robbins was
chosen to fill the vacancy. The President
spoke of the object of the Association, All the
questions discussed at the annual meetings he
said were discussed first at the quarterly meet
ings, 30 when they came up here they are reas-
onably familiar
The discussion of the evening was upon eek.
animation and Certificates of Teachers" State
Superintendent Corthell opened the discussion
in a very able and logical manner He first
spoke of the fact that there were many things
which an examination ever so rigid could not
test teacher in, suca as power to govern a
school, &c. But right examination he claim
ed would decide if the candidate had the re-
quisite amount of knowledge to teach correctly,
Ii the knowledge is acquired SO that it can be
readily imparted in clear manner. There
should be two questions settled by an examina-
ton. Has the candidate proper knowledge,
and can he or abe impart it to others. 1t should
also ascertain if the candidate has an idea of
school work, forming classes &c. To do this
the examination m ust be conducted by a skilled
examiner, one who knows how to put ques-
tions not puzzles, and arrive at the knowledge
of the would-be teacher. The examination
should be partly written and partly oral for OBJ
vious reasons. You can not tell whether
teacher can teach reading until she has read in
your hearing. The examination should be
made as publicly as the teaching is.
Complaint was made that in great number
OF towns in the state the committee were not
capable of conducting the examination, and to
prove this the Superintendent stated that in a
number of towns where he had sent printed
lists of questions for the conducting of exam
nations be had received answer asking that the
answers to the questions might be put into the
blanks to assist them. AS examinations are
now conducted they mean nothing, and certif-
Gates are given out with little if any discretion.
The old plan is not equal to the plan in use
in New Brunswick, and their schools are &C.
cordingly better. Oar system fails to give us
good teachers, and we must have change.
Mr.. Corthell urged the system of county
board of three examiners. This, he believed,
would raise the standard, and if the standard
was raised he believed the teachers would reach
it, and the profession would be educated.
Mr.. Burr of Hallowell, favored thu same sys-
tenn as proposed by Mr.. Corthell. He thought
it could only work we'll. 1t would prevent the
competition with unqualified teachers, who
now can get as good certificate as the best. It
would also prevent all local prejudice affecting
a teacher, for the board would not know whose
papers they were examining, and could not be
partial it they wished to be.
Mr.. Woodbury. of Pennington, also favored
the system, and remarked that it WOULD proba-
bly, keep from go to 20 per cent. of teachers
under II years of age out of the positions they
now unworthily hold In public schools
DR.. Smaller was called upon, and in response
stated that he had seen 3S years of service on
school committees. and he believed more than
ever in raising the standard. He doubted,
however, if the board proposed would raise the
standard higher than the Portland standard
now is.
81. L. Chapman of Bowdoin College thought
many good teachers could not give a correct
formula for conducting school, and the code |
prepared would drop them out He was in fa- |
vor of strict rules in regard to the actual knowl
edge possessed.
AT this point further discussion of the SUBJ
ject was postponed until another time, and the |
meeting adjourned.
To-DAY's EXERCISES.
By invitation of Superintendent fash, the |
members of the associ alton will visit the pablo |
schools this forenoon.
In the afternoon meeting will be held at |
Reception Hall, beginning at 2 o'clock. The |
following will be the order of exercisss:-A |
paper will be read by Mrs Kate N. Rounds of |
Pennington, upon Arithmetic in the Primary
Schools" Arithmetic in the Grammar
Schools will be discussed by f. E. G. Robbins, |
Principal of the Deering High School, and |
others. "Algebra" will be presented by f. A. |
Wilson of Hallowell Classical Institute, and |
Geometry" by Prof. G. II. Smyth of Bowdoin |
College. These subjects will bs discussed by |
Prof j. 81. Hanson, Principal of Waterville |
Classical Institute. E. S, Morris, Principal of |
Bddeford Grammar School, and Others
Att .3O o'clock reports Of committees will be |
discussed by Superintendent fash of this city,
and L. G. Jordan, Principal of the Lewiston |
High School.