Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1881-07-16
JEFFERSON COUNTY TEACH.
ERS' INSTITUTE.

those who anticipate teaching in this Coun-
ty, but numbers will not make success
full Institute unless each one feels that the
success of this Teachers SCHOOL, de-
ponds upon himself or herself, and deter
mines to use every effort to carry out the
programme of exercises prepared by the
State Superintendent of Schools.
In the General Regulations for the con-
duct of the Institute, the Superintendent
says
"The Conductor and County Superin-
tendent should use all proper means to Sc
cure public interest in the work Of the In
stitute both for the day and night exer-
ciseS.
The best local talent should be secured
to debate the questions proposed or Sc
lected for eli scussioH. These questions
and similar ones are Of Importance TO the
healthy progress of our public schools.
We cannot afford to say, 1T is well
enough. We 90 backward or forward.
The zeal of the teachers is the barometer
of public opinion. The teacher may not
be responsible for the apathy Of the pub
lie, but he can, in large measure, break
il up. Conductors, superintendent, teach
ers and friends of education are earnestly
urged TO make the Institutes this year the
very best yet held in the State"
From this and other regulations and in
structions published, it is evident that the
State Superintendent is anxious that the
part of the school law establishing these
Institutes and compelling the teachers TO
attend them, shall have fair trial.
He has prepared an interesting and in
structive programme and appointed the
best teachers he could secure 10 conduct
the Institutes and the success and bene-
fits of the Institutes now rest, in q great
measure, upon the teachers, school officers
and friends OF the public schools in each
county and town in which the Institutes
are held.
1t is a heavy expense upon the teachers
to attend these Institutes and the salaries
that they receive do not give them much
money TO spare. In fact, ii is 4 heavy tax
upon both their time and purse and all for
the public benefit, which is little appre-
ciated by the public.
The trustees and Boards Of Education
should also attend these Institutes, because
in them subjects are discussed upon which
these school officers need much light.
Here, they would learn many things that
belong to their respective offices that,
heretofore they seemed totally ignorant
of and in which they showed little inter-
est. They would also learn wherein con-
sists the difficulties i'll the management OF
schools, and hear the remedies proposed,
so that if such things occur in their own
school, they will know how to act and
avoid much trouble.
1t is true, that the school law does not
compel the attendance of its officers but
they need the information obtained ut In
stitutes as much as the teachers. They
would learn how schools should be COLI
Quoted and managed and what is necessa-
~ for the comfort, health and convenience
OF the pupils. If the teachers learn more
clearly their duties under the law by at
tending the discussions of the Institute,
the school officers certainly need these OPP
portunities to inform themselves in refer
ence to their duties.
THE PROGRAMME
OF the Institute is prepared with special
reference TO the wants of our schools.
Night sessions are t" be held so that the
whole community may attend and learn
what the teachers are doing and what our
schools need TO Increase their usefulness.
In the first days exercise. the public vii.
be interested in having the Conductor ~
Explain the objects and benefits Of the
Institute,' and, besides The lessons and
the methods Of teaching the elementary
branches of study, the public will be spe-
cially entertained by the (2j "Discussion
of School Furniture, Apparatus and how
to get them, "a subject about which our
school officers and the patrons Of our
schools in seem concerned. Indeed, they
seem to think and act rs if school houses
did not need any furniture, apparatus,
books, &c. Then follows discussion of
the subject, ~ "The cooperation Of the
Intelligent public necessary to the success
OF the Institute and our schools" ~
"The reciprocity of the teacher and the
tax payer and what each has a right to
demand" The last two subjects form the
exercises of the first night session and adj
nit Of general discussion.
The 2ud days exercise consists mostly
in class recitatiOns, but on Tuesday night
there will be full and free discussion Of
"The Graduating System" prepared by
Rev. 4. i. Wade. After which, "The
relations of Parent, Teacher and Pupil in
School Govcrnmeht-What are they?"
will be discussed.
The third morning, the parents and
public generally will learn much from
The rccitations in L. 5. History and the
discussion Of (5) "The hardness in pupils,
absences who is responsible for it, pa
rents, pupil or tcacher?"
Alright will be discussed (6) "The ne
cessity of Moral aud Physical culture as
well as intellectual Development; ~
"Punishments in Schools-Their methods
and objects"
The 4th day will be taken up with rec
itations and discussions of the branches
taught in the higher classes in our public
schools and at night the question of (S)
"School house architecture, heating, VEN
tilating, &C., will be fully discussed and
the SchoO, officers and public should at
tend. Not sufficient attention is paid To
this subject and its Importance needs To be
brought out and fully discussed. Parents
do not seem to appreciate the health of
their children sufficiently to require the
officers to look after the school buildings
and see whether they are properly located,
hcal,hful and comfortable.
The 9TH and last day will bring many
subjects before the Institute, in which the
public is greatly interested and l trust
that there will be full attendance.
The Institute will be conducted by Mr..
T. b. Mccain, teacher of Wheeling, W.
Va, who comes with high recommend
alton as an Institute Instructor and filled
with enthusiasm in this kind of work.
In conclusion, would suggest that the
County Superintendent select NOW, from
the teachers and friends of education in
the county, persons 10 prepare essays on
NATIONAL ASSOCIATE ON OF FREE