Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-08-30
Vermont Teachers Association.

Mr.. Editor IL have waited one week to see IL
some one, through the columns Of the WATcHMAN,
would not answer your report and criticism OF the
state Teachers Association at Casteton. As no
one has done so, | will say few words in regard
to the meeting. | agree with you that the educa-
tonal interest in the state is not at fever heat and
that the attendance at the meeting did not en-
brace all of the 2 800 teachers In the state. The
attendance was very small; but, with the excep-
ton Of last year, as large as for the past three
four years. For several years some OF the mem
bers have tried to change the time of holding the
meeting and make the place permanent, and last
year vote was passed authorizing the executive
committee to test the voice of the leading teach
ers and school workers in the state upon the sub
ject. Accordingly, the committee sent the follow
ing circular letter: " At the last annual meeting
Of the Vermont State Teachers Association IL
was voted to hold the next meeting in August or
October, as the teachers desired. Please send me
your choice. Also, what do you think Of doing
as In done In most other states,-meeting at a
POSSIBLY permanently central place, and expect all
to pay their own bills? Have you any sugges-
tons to make as to speakers and subjects An
early reply is solicited" Some did not care
enough about the subject to reply. On the part
OF those who did reply, the vote was about evenly
divided so that the committee did not feel author
lied to make any changes.
All things considered, 1t seems to me that some
permanent central place will draw much larger
and better attendance than We now have with the
present plan OF placing the association upon
village Many Of our best educational workers
at this time are away and others prefer to rest
during vacation, while IL the meetings were held
In October or November, all could attend. II the
teachers In other states find 1t profitable to leave
their schools for day or two to attend the state
association, the same should be the case here. In
regard to the programme, | beg leave to differ
with you. The complaint three years ago was
that the programme was filled with subjects re-
latlng to high school and college work two years
ago, that it was weak and scattered; last year,
that 1t was too heavy for common school teach
ers. This year the aim was to make the pro-
gramme as practical and interesting to common
school teachers as possible. With this end in
view other state programmes were consulted,
teachers and others urged to suggest speakers
and Subjects and at last a programme was ar
ranged that, till your article appeared, had been
warmly commended by unanimous voice. II
that programme didn't treat Of common school
interests, then please suggest one that does.
There may be danger OF OVERRIDING this common
school question. II you mean " Best methods Of
teaching spelling, " How to keep the little boys
and girls from being tardy, How to prevent
whispering" etc, as proper subjects relating to
the fundamental work Of teaching and OF ednca-
tional progress" you will look in vain TO see the
2 200 teachers, or even ten per cent Of them,
iocking to the meeting Nearly all the leading
teachers Of the state were personally urged 10
assist; all grades OF school, from the college to
the common school, and also town superintend-
ents and newspaper editors, were represented ;
tne programmes were scattered throughout the
state every newspaper editor in the state was
forwarded copy with the following note: "You
will confer favor upon the teachers OF the state
and others interested by publishing the inclosed
programme. Editorial notices will be appreci-
ated." Surely the meeting was well advertised
The aim Of the committee in placing upon the
programme a few out OF the teaching ranks was TO
wake up a new interest on the part OF some who
do not often attend, but II the rafting fire of
fifteen or twenty minutes upon the general ques-
ton " was " the only indication OF aggressive vi
tality which the days session Afforded" the
vitality was small and the aggressiveness weak.
The audience was certainly no better enlightened
upon school supervision than upon any other sub
ject under discussion. And as there was an hour
given to each OF the five subjects for discussion
and in but one instance was the time allotted in
truded upon, and that for only ten minutes, the
complaint Of crowding and intrusion amounts to
but little.
Now, Mr.. Editor, l. for one, recognize the need
OF a change somewhere In the arrangements.
am glad the subject is being discussed in the
papers, and hope that good will result. Will you
please state more specifically what you mean by
"a thorough reorganization Of the association,
radical change Of methodist 1t is an easy matter
to criticise, but harder to suggest feasible plans
for improvement. Any change for the better
will be gladly hailed by all interested. LII