The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-08-25
For the Democratic Advocate.
OUR NEEDS.


country that the schools have passed beyond the
missionary stage; and that they places for the
transaction of business. As it is we accomplish ONLY
about e-halfof what might be ACCOMPLISHED The
great need is of trained teacherS-tbOSe that know
how to teach III the best way This was felt for fifty
years in this State, and the most thoughtful men Of
those days set about the establishment of normal
school. inns was emInently wise action and has
borne golden fruit The establishment of teachers
institutes another step forward these were de-
signed for that great class that enter upon teaching
as stepping-stone to something else.
As time has gone on it has become apparent that
the teachers institute follow the normal school
and tram teachers for their work. This has been re-
cognlZed by very many states and propositions of
every nature have been made. The teachers insti-
tute must be n county normal school it must have
permanently it must classify its pupils, and it must
with that pursued i'm the state Normal School
The course of study in our schools needs to be
better correlated with the living, actual world.
The pupil steps out of the schOolroOm and finds he
is not fitted to comprehend the worlds ideas of work
The spelling book has been and is yet fetch in the
roomthe one deadly sin syet the mlsspelline
count; the right placing of the letters everything.
Grammar, arithmetic, geography and history have
been cXhalted 10 high positions from which il is
apparent that they must be removed The pupil
must learn his own tongue practically; he must
know the earth and the people and things on it he
must be taught to draw and use figures he must know
what is right and what is wrong. Here the elemen-
tary school must stop; they are not to make gram
marians, accountants or scientists of their pupils.
The art of teaching should be studied by those
who teach. This is no new demand are well
aware but it meant that the old idea must give way
that any intelligent person step into the school,
room and teach without instruction in the art of
teaching Probably the great cause ofthe depression
of schools is due to this than any one thing
Visiting country town the cultivated clergyman
was asked:
How about your schools?'
"Oh they are excellent"
"Do you employ none but theoretical tcachers?"
"Oh, as to that, you know, to manage school is
easily Learned"
This erroneous hideous doctrine is believed by
ninetenths of all the people in the country men of
sense i'll all other respects still cling to the notion
that it requires nothing but the knowledge they are
to impart in order to be teacher!
The selection of teacherS,-who makes it? Yes
who puts in" the teachers? This is the dark side
of our educational system. We know of but one
superintendent who insists selecting the teachers
to be empoyedin the schools under his charge The
trustees select the persons who are to teach and the
public acqulesce 1t IS, no, we won't say it. And
look the resolutions of the national
citation, then through the various state associations
and not a word against this hideous practice.
We need better methods of teaching than are
usually employed. an improved course of study
trained teachers and above ALL that the selection
be made by one competent to know what good
teacher is and honest enough to appoint such one"
-Ne'C York School Journal.
The present writer, who has selected the
above for the Adcocate on this appropriate
occasion, it being preparatory to judicious
thought on the subjects, at the ensuing Teach
erS Institute, to commence on the 2Sth inst,
in Central Hail. in Westminster, when all the
Carroll County public school teachers are er-
pected to be present, most heartily approves of
lection, and of the instruction intended by it
in general but he desires to CAUTION all teach
ers against putting too literal construction
upon, and unqualified assent to, the assertion
that Grammar, Arithmetic, Geography and
History have been exalted to too high positions
from which it is apparent they must be re-
mOredr'
No! it is not apparent that they must be
Ten0Ued." The wiser monitor would say
Al.
ly repeat the timely admonition-th Gram
mars, Arithmetics, Biographies, &C., as text
books, need not ''be removed from our pub
lie schools, nor from any other schools wherein
it is intended to lay proper foundation for q
thorough education in appropriate school
knowledge.
Instead ofremoUiRg text books from schools,
because some who pretend to be teachers do
not know what to do with them, it is only es-
sential that teachers fully prepare themselves.
either in the Normal School or elsewhere, to
make proper use of the appliances which evil
IDENTIFY can be made, as they have been made,
well adapted to lead not only pupils, but even
Intelligent teachers in the right direction.
But all Have all who profess to be teach
ers thus, or in any way, fully prepared them
selves? Are there pretenders only in Carroll
County-those who habitually stay outside of
the ''ring ?'-who only show their faces for
moment to have their presence recorded at
Institutes, and who are generally as dumb as
oysters when the teachers qualifications are
discussed? Do any stay at home when hon
orably bound to be present? How many of
these fail to appear when the obliging school
trustees stand ready kindly to open the school.
room doors to them, and when pay day comes
round? Teachers, think Of these things now
on the eve of your meeting together; and, if
there be need for it in any individual case, let
no time be lost in preparing to take your
places in the Institute, with appropriate
answers ready to be given to any proper ques.
tons which may be asked of you by Prof
Newell at any time during the Institute
"LOCO CITATO,'