, 1879-02-20
NORM IL SCHOOLS.
RS A Il, HUFFMAN.

HIl"lIy ueCOIle duOplPu ltclS. No lollSer
ago than 1919 did Harvey announce his
theory Of the "Circulation OF the blood,
all chriStendom who acceptedit. Customs
that ut one time would be lecred become
part and parcel Of our existence. Our
common school system, now considered
the bnlwark of American Liberty, and as
Indispensable us the air we breathe, but a
comparatively few years ago was consid-
cred by many wise heads as altogether
"impracticabIe Al Il mwi>e." To-day the
system could not be wiped ont but at the
expense of blood, 50 thoroughly has it be-
come into our code of civIl mstitionS.
How many blOgrapherS of great men in
form us that the man had ''but II common
school cducaton".
In the course Of time the necessity for
Normal and training schools became ap-
parent just as skilled labor is sought in
other things As n matter of economy. IN
stitutions for training teachers in the best
plans and methods OF their calling. The
time is but short since TEACHERS were
race of PEDAGOGuEs rs little skilled in inn
parting Instructions rs they were proficient
in the art OF punishment. had better
said SCIENCE Of punishment, for my school
boy experience led me to believe that pun
ishment was really a classified science.
Often have known the teachers knowl-
edge in that to be in better state OF
culture than any Of his other accomplish
ments(?J
Like MI O.her things OF merit, Normal
and training schools were instituted as a
remedy Tor this high-handed ignorance
and evil. Normal or natural methods of
instruction began to he sought. The phi
losophy Of the mind and its development
was deeply studied, aud many Of the best
educato lal minds set themselves about
the problem of natural teaching; and to
see If Natures plans. hitherto so hidden.
might not be discovered. ln this work
Pe>taIozzi stands head and shoulders above
all Europe and Horace Mann is tile cham
pion OF the Western world. As result
of their lAbors, the world has the Kinder
garten, the Normal school, Agricultural
College, Mechanics Institute and similar
institutions which have become so thor
Oughly necessity that we wonder some
times how the world ever got along with
out them. These institutions do not, how
ever, yet reach the thousands OF teachers
in obscure and remote districts all over
the land. The lack of properly trained
teachers is felt even in old Massachusetts.
as will be seen from the Mass. School Re-
ports.
The acquisitions for g od teacher are
altogether too indefinite in the minds both
OF the public and of teachers. Even such
requirements as are clearly defined are OF
n character entirely unworthy the dignity
and importance that should belong to the
work.
say should belong" because the pro-
ies>ion of teaching has no dignity. 1t is
frequently Il had almost said, in the ma
jority of cases ente red upon as a make
shit or a stepping-stohe, and is generally
regarded by the man himself and always
by the public, rs work of which one
should rather be ashamed than proud.
Que applicant for school had the assur-
ance to press her claim, and in the same
breath TO say, But the idea OF teaching
in a public school rs rather irightful."
The salary wes desirable, but the conde-
Scension necessary to Obtaining it was
humiiatng. The pride lawyer feels in
his profession, and the want of it felt by
teacher in his are but the reflection of
public sentiment, and is generally well
grounded. The public demands training
aud culture of its lawyers, and accepts al
most anything as teachers. A prestige
belongs of ri ght to profession in which
so much is necessary 10 success, and to be-
long to it prc-supposes training and cul-
turc. Let public Sc ntiment give TO the
work the dignity that belongs to it. and
make the requirements for success in it
such as must command respect, and soon
the work will cease to be the nake-shilt
that it Is.
We may be speaking far in advance of
time but cannot refrain from calling at
tenIion to the claims and merits of Port
Townsend to the Norma school when il
shall be established. II is "a well-known
fact that no other town in our Territory is
so healthiul; our air Is so pure that even
contagious diseases are soon eradicated or
die Of themselves. Our scenery is the
most pleasant and agreeable TO be
tnpu6 | OF uS hova fhn Nprn,u1 School