Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1882-01-04
Tap Teachers ln-iiiute.

Fine Teachers an-iiiute.
Pursuant to the call OF Superintend-
ent Murtland, the school teachers OF
this county, met in convention on
Monday afternoon of last week, and
continued in session till Friday noon.
The programme, as advertised by the
Superintendent, was faithfully carried
out. Some two hundred and thirty
teachers and many directors and other
/ friends of education were present. and
the institute itself, taken as a whole,
was pronounced by old teachers who
!. have attended all the Institutes ever
held in this county, to have been the
| best ever held in the county. Mr..
! Murtland was a novice in the institute
business and his success must be very
| gratifying to him, while from the able
and interesting instructors and lectur-
ers whose presence and services he had
secured, the institute was made both
instructive and interesting to all who
attended In preparing wisdom for
babes, it is necessary to wrap its pre-
cepts in candied sweets, and we have
no doubt but that those teachers who
attended the institute will go back to
their work in better humor to deal
with the self-willed youth of America,
better qualified to conquer by patience
and kindness the evil in their natures,
and teach them those lessons Of indus
try, honesty and morality, which
should go hand in hand with the les
sons of the school book. The young
should be taught that to be great is to
be good and that one can be as truly
hero in the little battles of life as in
the battles and affairs of great nation.
We have been furnished with copy
of the minutes of the convention, but as
, our columns are crowded this week can
find space for but the following extracts
from them:
Superintendent Murtland, in his
opening address, outlined the object
of the Institute, emphasizing bis in
tention to have the present not only a
teachers but peoples Institute. He
made a very good impression on those
assembled and received flattering ap-
plause. Prof. Pinkerton explained in
an interesting manner why he had
come, and stated his object was not to
hatter the teachers but that he would
try to gain their confidence. He ad-
vised the teachers not to attempt to
act on every suggestion given by for
eign instructors. He cited an instance
where be had once ruined his school
by attempting 20 put in practice every
thing he had heard at an institute. He
advised teachers that if they should see
any methods advanced that. they
thought applicable to their schools TO
apply them, if at all, in an original
manner. He was at home on his sub
ject and was often. interrupted by APP
plause."
Prof McNeal was introduced to the
Institute Tuesday morning and spoke
on the subject of "couuty institutes. y
He divided an institute into three
classes: (1) those who were cultiva-
ted and came to benefit others, (2J
those who think they know it all and
would not shed their light for the ben
eft of their fellow teachers, (3) those
who have had little experience as teach.
ers and who wish to receive instruc,
tions from the Institute He also gave
his experience as County Superin.
tendent in regard to the above distinc-
tions in the makeup of an Institute.
S p. Irwin then read an able essay on
compulsory education. An interesting
discussion followed, many teachers tax.
ing part whose arguments deserve spe.
cial mention, but space will not permit
Prof. Pinkerton, after highly compli-
menting the choir, took up the study
of photography. He showed how com
plex our words were to strangers and
how hard to learn to spell bv the
sounds. He gave several humorous il.
Illustrations which created much merri-
ment He explained the necessity o1
spelling, pronunciation and definition
| going together; also. that the teacher
should prepare each lesson in advance.
He also regarded too many rules as
tending to confuse the pupil rather
than to enlighten him, and gave many
other valuable instructions. He then
gave a lesson on pronunciation put in
form of sentences, and called on some
one to read them Mr. j. III Chatham
responded, and pronounced all the
words properly but one. He was
highly complimented by the Professor,
and applauded by the audience.
On Tuesdy afternoon Prof. McNeal
gave some valuable suggestions on
teachers work" He explained that
the teacher must adapt his methods to
the school he has in charge. That the
experimental prevailed largely, with
young teachers especially. How a
teacher might have many modes with
but one method. He advised teachers
to be original as far as possible in the
school room. The choir sang "N o
Time like the Old Time" after which
John Golden gave his methods OF
teaching Primary Reading" followed
by Mrs. A B. Kinter, who read from
manuscripts> on the same subject.
Both were listened to with deep inter-
est. Volunteers were then called on
when Messrs Chatham, Russell,
Moore, Smith and Irvine responded
with neat addresses on the same sub
iect The choir then sang Just Be-
side the River" Prot. Pinkerton
was called upon and spoke on School
Management He explained why the
standing of a pupil should be determin-
ed by examination How noise should
be avoided by arousing spirit of RI
valry among the pupils. He advised
the publication of the best in the news
papers of the town or county in which
they lived, and advanced the idea that
certificate of standing progress. He
thought thai the lack of living interest
in the school room. As usual he re-
ceived tremendous applause. Prof.