Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-06-14
EDUCATIONAL.
Meeting of the Teachers Institute OF
shelby County at Lem OYne Normal
Sch0OI-Addresses by Teach
ers upon Interesting Sub
jects=The Institute
Closes This Even
ing.

The Shelby county teachers institute met
in third annual sess sion, at the LeMoyne nor
NAL school, at ten o'clock yesterday morn
ing. In the absence of regular officers, Mr..
Carter Harrison was called to the ch air and
Miss L. A. Parmelee elected secretary, Mrs.
Julia Werles presiding at the piano.
The exercises commenced with an address
by Colonel George B. Fleece, upon the
place and work of teachers institutes in our
educational system. We regret our ina
bility to give the address entire. 1t was an
able exposition of the work of such gather
ings, and the manner in which they should
be conducted. A spirit of forbearance, cour-
tesy and cheerfulness, and absence of criti-
cism, was enioined.
Mrs. Julia Werles presented paper full of
happy thoughts upon the social intercourse
between teachers and scholars, arguing that
interest in chlldren's plans and plays gave a
teacher greater power, although IL must be
shown with discretion.
Miss Emma King led N the discussion that
followed, urging kindly interest in pupils,
but shown In manner that shall not allow
the pupil to forget the relative positions OF
the two parties.
Prof. Lott, W. J. Lew Allen and
Horace Mitchell racily related their expert
ences In country schools.
should be taught to obey the rule of right
rather than from desire to please a
teacher.
NJ. H. Barker, L. II. Parmelee and F. T.
Dunlap offered thoughts of interest.
Miss Lulu Bradshaw read a brief eaper
concerning methods of teaching the first prin-
ciples of arithmetic.
The institution then adjourned until half
past two clock.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
At the afternoon session Carter Harris, in
al tha OnoStlOu ts'in vuhat eYtprk
ought private schools be encouraged, OBJ
Jected to them on the grounds,
First-That teachers of these schools gen.
orally were of inferior ability.
Secondhand the colored people are too
poor to patronize them.
Thlrd-Such schools are sectarian and for
this reason should be discouraged. Per con-
ira, if the teacher is capable the scholars
will advance faster, because more attention
| can be gwen them and the moral influence is
stronger than in public schools.
Prof. A. j. Steele thought that public
schools were superior IN management and
scholarship to private schools under ire
| sponsible control. The only excuse for
| private schools is In cases where young peo-
pie desire preparation for college.
Prof. B. K. Sampson advocated the greater
excellence of public schools, because of the
more perfect grading.
T. F. Cassells began the discussion of the
| ACAb lOElS Ny SAost q SOh
| petent teacher would never resort to corporal
punishment. Much wit and humor charac-
! terized the animated remarks that followed.
Prof. Sampson believed that Solomon's rule
| Tor rod was still in force. Mr.. Harris doubt
ed whether there had sver been thoroughly
competent teacher, judged by the first speak
er's test. Miss Anna Wright wished to know
how much time was required to attain to per-
lection. Prof. Lott regretted that MIR. Cas-
sells had not taught one year longer, that the
problem might have been solved.
Mrs. Broughton advocated the use of object
lessons in the study of geography, and the
same thought was elaborated II the remarks
of half dozen teachers who participated in
the subsequent discussion.
Upon motion of T. F. Cassells, commit
tee was appointed to draft resolutions of re-
spect for the memory OF the members of the
institute who have died within the year.
Prof. }. Lott, Miss Anna Wright and Mr.
G. L. Cooper were appointed such committee.
The me ting then adjourned until nine
o'clock to-day Saturday.