Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1882-12-27
THE TEACHERS INSTITUTE

The fifteenth general meeting or the
school teachers of this county was
called to order in the Court room by
Superintendent Murtland at wo
O'Clock of last Monday afternoon
Christmas day. Two hundred and
thirty-one teachers were present dur
ing the week and on enrolment day
thirty-one school directos gave IN
their names, though about seventy
five directors in all, were present dur
ing the sessions. The different day
sessions of the institute were well at
tended, both by teachers and others,
and at the night sessions the Court
room was crowded, every seat and all
the standing room being occupied.
Many who bought tickets for the even
ing sessions, including the lectures,
could not get into the room G)7i
music was furnished by Mr.. Cornelius
glee club-Mr. Hassler presiding at
the organ-and by a choir of teachers.
Prof. Cyrus Harper also sung seme
hymns and songs, and he sung them
well. He has good voice. Mrs
David McJunkin and Mrs. Pres.
Scott also did some singing-Miss
Bella Lowry presiding at the organ
The proceedings of the Institute were
taken down pretty fully by Mr.. W. E..
Findlay, a young man who is already
an efficient stenographer, and from the
report with witch he has so kindly IA
vored US we take the following.
DIR. French, of Northampton, Mass,
was the first gentleman to address the
Institute. His address was chiefly on
the subject of education and in it he
gave the history of the origin of the
teachers Institutes as follows:
"In 1S43 another event occurred
that is of great Importance. Among
the county superintendent in the
State of New York was Mr.. James
Denman, then young man. He
spent half day in examing carefully
each school house and grounds. Ev-
cry two weeks he would publish the
result of his observations in the county
papers. This course often caused uD-
Just criticism ON part of some teachers.
| Ia 1913 he issued call for meeting
at Ithica. He wanted them to stay
two weeks if deemed necessary. At
the close of the first week they unani-
mously resolved to remain another
week. It was necessary to give this
meeting a name, so it was voted that
the meeting be called a teachers instl-
tute. Tint was the first teachers
institute ever held. Forty years ago
we Lad four normal schools in this
country, now we. have l60 State ia
stitutiCns in this country. have
met some persons who Calm that
normal schools are not of much ac-
count When New York created the
Office of County Superintendent of
schools there was 10 such office IN
existence. There are now thirty-two
States in this country that have
County Superintendents, and teachers
institutes have been increased until
we find them in all the States but
two. New York is holding two in
stitutes year in most of the counties.
Now we have come here as body of
teachers to inquire into the progress of
education. We have not come here
to talk about the new things iu arith-
metic and grammar, but we have
come to discuss the principles of edu-
cation. 1t is necessary for teachers to
keep themselves informed on what is
going on, and if they do not they will
fail in the rear and be left"
Tuesday morning the Importance of
nj hn OF Of
it were discussed by ]. R. Rankin,
r. o. Waldron, Rev. Streamer, and
Profs Crawford and Bancroft. Judge
Bredin made al address of welcome to
the teachers. He also spoke of educa-
ton and compared the past with the
present, by showing that it was neces-
sary for the law to be in advance OF
public sentiment, and that it was very
important that public sentiment should
be educated and brought up to the
standard And he wanted the teach
ers and the directors to recollect that
there has been no improvement made
in the school system of Pennsylvania,
that has been demanded by public
sentiment. The system itself was not
demanded by popular sentiment, and
no Improvement has ever been de-
manded by the popular sentiment of
the people, but advanced thinkers have
to take the lead. He also went on to
show them that the school law should
be compulsory"
Prof Golden responded in behalf of
the teachers to the Judges remarks.
Dr. French gave a drill in rapid
computation, illustrating his method
on the blackboard.
During the afternoon, Mr.. j. Find
lay read paper on teachers mistakes,
and Mr.. j. Brandon, Mr.. Bixler, Mr.. j.
Golden, Mr.. Morrow, Mr.. Mcdonald,
Rev. Streamer and Mr. Koher took
part in the discussion that followed.
DR.. French spoke of school manage
ment and Prof Hoover gave his meth
cd of teaching fractions.
Wednesday morning, DIR. French
spoke of school organization and divid-
ed his subject into three parts. "First
kinds; second objects and third how to
secure it. Teachers do not remain
many many years in one school. There
are so many changes among the chill
dren year after year, that primary or
ganizations at the beginning of the
school is necessary. There are three
objects to be secured in making this
first organization at the opening of the
school First immediate employment
second profitable employment, and third
an order of recitation, or programme.
Many teacher fails the first day by
not knowing how to take hold of the
school, and get them at work profit
ably, and thus he fails to secure the
confidence and respect of the children.
l begin the first morning just as l in
tend to continue throughout the term.