The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1879-04-09
Letter from Gen. Smith in Relation TO
the Proposed State Teachers
Institute.
OFFICE OF Sur'r PUEBLO EpucArtox

/ I L
| JACKSON Miss. April Z. 1879
EDrroRs CLARION A few weeks aro tb.-.
was sent out from this office to County Sap.r-
intendents and prominent educators I'm the
State Il circular letter in relation to IA Stat.
Teachers Institute that it was proposed should
be held during the coming summer. One of
the parties addressed, gentleman OF high
standing in the profession, suggests chat
| through the columns of The CLARION. aset
forth some Of the advantages and give teach
ers some idea of the methods Of such am In.
stitute. With your permission ! will ea-
deavor to do so.
The grand object in view in holding tha-.
Institutes is the improvement of tho teachers
| IN their calling, and through them the advance
ment of the cause OF education. The urjr-
cipal obstacles in the way Of public in.trua-
| ton with us is teachers who are not trained
and skillful in the business. and th. ar-
athy OF the people of the State on the subject
In many Of the States, Normal Schools bay..
been established and maintained al tba. ugb-
nc expense Tor the preparation Of teachers for
their LIES work. Unfortunately we of Mis-
slssippi are not so favored, except to a
very limited extent And even in those
States where Normal Schools exist. teacher r1-
stltutes are held and fostered as supplements ID
the training to refresh and stimulate the minds
OF teachers in the new methods of instruction
and discipline that are being constantly
adopted.
ms Is an age OF progress. improvements
are being made in almost every department af
human life. The true teacher Il a ..,r-tq-t
learner in the school Of KNOWLEDGE. and is
always on the alert to improve himself and
ms school by the experience Of those who
nave attained the greatest success I'm the ,.rf-
GUS departments of learning He never con-
slders that his preparation for teacbir, /.
ended To the young and iuexpcri.gr.d a.
knowledge OF the methods by which tbo-.af
'na'urer years and more practice have gained
success will prove eminentlv usefyI f., r..
prosecution OF their calling. No more pow
eriul agency can be had than these Tp.tfrn,4
10 awaken an interest in the cause of par1rar
education, to assist in elevating the profession
oI the teacher and increase the eficiency and
worth OF our schools. BY them. if propqrry
organized and conducted, not only is the puI-
nc mind aroused but a high-toned sentir.,r,
: enlisted and manifested among those tgn.
otherwise would not have given r.
subject the least consideration Itis b,tt.r,
haI the profession of teaching is raised ina
ligher plane and It's capacity for usefgIn.s.
augmented; spirit ofthought and inquiry f.
1clted, the suggestions thrown out durir., trs
exercises being considered of more fmrarfsr..
nan the Information impaired; experience
recompared and the causes Of srcca.. f.,r..-.
Investigated and uniting and strenptheufrag..t
Oh.
inmate those enjoyed in common cause
'ut 1t Is unnecessary at this day to urge tIr-
her the advantages of such Institute as
uNlIhary to the cause of general education.
ne result OF their successful inauguration
you'd Immediately be felt drought the State.
3 the schools necessarily take their character
rom their teachers.
as 70 the methods Of instruction, that win d.-
ehu IN great measure on the instructor
- nlShed Ior the occasion, the details being
II 70 them' 1t may be said however lu
7ner@l terms that the art and science ofteacd-
lg IN the best schools Of the country will Be
le oasis upon which the Institute will beean-
lcted- 1t will be eminenty useful and prag-
cal IN the way OF suggesting thoughts, proc.--
$ and methods that might not othcryyf.s occur
-5 't'"SFCL well instructed Iu q E.N-
al way and OF pointing out difiiculties to be-
'ercome' so that being prepared in advance,
'achers may go to their work not utterly de-
'iu oil some special preparation, but having
nat to expect and how to meet it,
Teachers can do much for themselves whilst
aching by studying and by study IS ua,
cant the mere accumulation of facts b1t the
sclPlIne necessary to thought. 81 amour,
Iacts stored can prove an offset to- b8bifsd
oughtfulness. It is one of the aim. of these
stitutes to enable teachers, not ONLY rm
mlnE but Aoo to think, not ONLY what 30
acR, out how 10 teach.
In order to reduce the avro,,,- ;..l.--sI
attendance-and that those who attend may
DC Kept away from their homes So long i
8 Oeen deemed best to change the original
~ Z 20 Iar as to hold, instead of one Institute
hVe or SIX weeks, FIVE or six Institutes OF
T week each at points most convenient and
taDie In the State, to be determined on. BY
: change 1t Is believed that a larger number
teachers will be benefited and more good
'amnllshed, An effort will be made % OBJ
Il reduced rates ON the railroads and steam
lts, as also board at the points where the
'e!tutes are held. Further information will
gwen IN due season as TO the times and
ICES Tor the meeting of these Institutes
J. A. SMITH,
state superintendent Public Education,