Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1883-04-21
Teachers Inst,tyfe.

teachers INSTITUTE.
The Teachers Institute which as
sembled in the Howell School build
ing Saturday was well attended by
the teachers of the county, but the
public generally failed to manifest
that interest that such an occasion
should have excited. Superintend-
ent Miller seems to be very earnest
In his efforts to promote the cause of
public education. 1t is good
cause, not from a sentimental point
OF view. but practically considered.
1t promises advancement and solid
benefit to the interests of the coun-
try and should be encouraged by
business men and leading citizens.
Counties that have good public
schools will attract good citizens
and lands in such counties will APP
preciate in value. Some of the
counties of Tennessee are awaken
ing to this fact and those that do
not will soon be left behind in the
march of progress.
The Institute Saturday was called
to order at 10 a. M, by County Su-
perintendant j. Miller, who presid-
ed over the meeting, ex officio. Mr..
A. p. Crutcher was made Secretary.
The exercises consisted i'm the dis
cussion OF various educational and
school topics which were Joined in
by the male teachers present. The
ladies, who could, no doubt, have
made some very interesting and in
struetive speeches on the subjects
discussed, modestly declined to take
part in the debates. DIR. d. F.
Wright, who is member of the
school board, manifested his interest
by being present and making some
very pointed and pertiaentspeeches.
Pending the discussion of the best
mode OF teaching arithmetic, the
doctor said that he had observed
that many examples In the arith-
metics, now in use, were very diff
ticult of solution by the rules pre-
scribed, but became easy enough
under the use of algebraic symbols.
Observing the principle that the
simplest methods should be taught
first, he thought that rudimentary
algebra should be taught prior to
the more intricate methods of arith-
metic. He proposal a remolding of
the text books on this plan. This
speech brought out some remarks
from Mr.. Barbee and the County
Superintendent, the former approx
ing the proposed change and the
latter expressing preference for ex-
isting methods.
Prof. Broadhurst illustrated his
mode of teaching the art of penman-
ship by some strokes on the black
board and made some remarks
about his ideas of teaching in gener-
al. He thought the most essential
thing was to interest the pupil in
his studies. Mr.. Barbee read a
we'll prepared and lengthy essay on
school discipline, which consumed
the remainder of the morning ses-
sion.
The CHRONICLE reporter found |
It impracticable to attend the after
noon session but learned that the ex-
ercises were as interesting as those |
Of the morning.
Below we give a list of the teach
ers who attended the Institute
Misses Kate Rogers, K. L. Jones,
Ada Butler, Jennie Reese, Flor
ence Rogers, Lou level, Flora
Butler, Mrs. Shackelford and Mrs.
NJ. G. Adams; Prof. G. T. Aberna-
ny, j. B. Powers, H. o. Wyatt,
w. A. McFalI, J. L. Williams, Jno.
B. Allen, r. ]. McFall, A. p.
Jrutcher, VIM. A. Broadhurst, Mr..
and several cOlored teach
RS.
The following committee were
appointed to select a list of text
looks and report at next meeting:
Iessrs. Abernathy, Yarrell, Crutch-
II, Barbee, Broadhurst and Howell,
md Misses Lowell and Rogers.
The next Institute will be held on
he second Saturday in May, when
is hoped that a more general in
crest will be manifested in the pro-
eedings.