The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1879-11-11
From Saturdays Daily.l
A Teachers Institute.

we understand from superintendent Smith
that there is some prospect of holding a teach
ers' institute here this winter. The matter
rests between himself and Superintendent
Hardenbrook. As Butte furnishes nearly
half the teachers in the county, and as Deer
Lodge has had it for two years or more, we
do not suppose there will be any hesitation
on the part of these gentlemen in deciding to
hold the institute in Butte. Indeed, nearly
half the voting population is located here, and
Il part OF the institute work is with parents.
Some time should be selected when travel
ing facilities are good. A programme of ex-
ercises should be made out and work given to
the different teachers in the county. Each
teacher should have a part assigned a month
given for want Of preparation. Early
arrangements with hotel keepers and
with the stage company should be made.
Doubtless all these are public spirited enough
to give reduced prices. The persons who de-
liver lectures should be early invited. The mu-
&c for the entertainment should be arranged.
Nothing requires more tact than the proper
arrangement of the programme. IN prepar-
ing this it should be borne in mind that the
principal object is to instruct young and mex
perienced teachers. Hence, debates on reso-
lutions and matters of no practical Importance
should be omitted. Lecturers, too, should
come down to the everyday work of the
teacher, and give lessons rather than brilliant
o%rations. In some States skilled talent is
engaged to give instruction on various sub
jects. Here we have no means for that as
yet, but teachers can be found who will do
this voluntarily. One day could be given to
reading and spelling. These. branches are
the poorest taught i'll our schools, and teachers
need more instruction on these subjects than
o. any others.
In the teachers meetings in the Helena
schools, one half the time of the weekly meet
ings for three years was devoted to these sub
jects. One day might be given to arithmetic
and object lessons, another to geography and
history, another to grammar, writing and
drawing, and another to management. The
teachers III the Butte schools could explain
their methods by bringing in classes to illus
trate the points treated. One teacher could
be assigned the principal work of the day.
After hearing that instructors views expressed
and illustrated, others could be called on for
their views O. the subject.
We give the above simply as hints, leaving
it for the managers to adopt their wv course.
But we earnestly hope for a teachers insti-
tute. Half the school money so freely paid
by tax paycrs is wasted for want of compe-
tent instructors. No teacher is too old to
learn. Rightly conducted, these meetings
may be made very useful. They unite teach
ers, they create an interest in parents, who
sometimes forget that teachers are endeavor-
ing to benefit their children. Better feeling
between parents and teachers is thus estab-
lished. The one is led to see the peculiar
difficulties the other has to encounter. More
harmony is produced, and both classes are led
to unite their forces and work for the same
end. Much dearer than wealth to the people
of Montana are their children. Anything
which they know will directly or indirectly
benefit their children will be encouraged by
them.