The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-07-18
Educational Meeting.

Educational Meeting.
Teachers Association has been for several
weeks considering the subject of holding
another meeting this fall. There was
much outspoken dissatisfaction year
ago with this organization for its ineffi-
cheney and feebleness at a time when in
special manner the schools needed an &C.
tive, aggressive leadership, such as a
state organization of teachers was ex-
pected to furnish. The executive COM
mittee appointed at Castleton last Au-
gust took this matter into serious consid-
Grafton. An entire change of policy was
undertaken. 1t was determined to hold
a mid-winter meeting. Care was observed
in the formation of a programme, and
in view of its central locality, Montpelier
was selected as the place of meeting. The
time chosen was during the Christmas
holidays. In spite of this fact, the cold
and the snow, the result was the largest,
most enthusiastic and, we believe, the
most useful meeting since the days when
the magnetic power of Secretary Adams
gave these occasions life, energy and
practical usefulness. The executive COM
mittee was instructed to call the next
meeting at Montpelier, and sentiment
was expressed in favor of the milder
season of October for the time of the
gathering. We understand that the COM
mittee is now making arrangements for
this meeting. Circulars have been ad-
dressed to teachers and educational
workers throughout the state, asking for
hints and suggestions and securing
pledges of attendance and active partici-
patton in the exercises and discussions.
A break was made at the December
meeting in favor of a programme with
fewer subjects and longer discussions.
The conventional programme was short
ened up nearly one-half and still it was
found that the time was insufficient for
a measurably full or satisfactory devel-
opment of the allotted topics. Still fur
ther to economic time, the common
schools were heard to the exclusion of
high schools and academies. 1t is now
proposed, we understand, to add day to
the time for the continuance of the meet
ings, giving the first day to the consider
alton of methods of instruction in
the languages and the higher Eng
fish branches, and the second and third
days to subjects and methods of common
school instruction. The committee is
composed of men of energy and good
judgment. Assisted by the experience of
last winter, they can be trusted to arrange
programme that will meet the exigen-
cies of the times. They will not forget
that the question of the adoption of the
town system of schools is still an issue in
this state, and until it is adopted, should
be leading subject for discussion on all
such occasions. And above all things,
they should arrange to have the objec-
tions to the town system, if there are any,
brought out. At the late legislative ses-
sion the only argument against the sys-
tenn was the slamming of desk lids, cough
ing, insult and disorder. The friends of
the system are anxious to hear the objec-
tions to the system stated by men who
know what the objections are. The de-
bate on this subject has been hitherto ex-
tremely one sided. That the discussions
may not be- all precept, practical illustra-
tions of methods should be more extern
sively introduced. A beginning in this
way of combining theory and practice was
made last winter and with great advan-
tage it could be materially extended. 1t
would be edifying to young teachers,
anxiously seeking "the how " of instruc-
ton, to see the older and more expe-
rienced teachers illustrate with classes of
their pupils the methods by which they
have succeeded. Mortified and Mont
pelier took hand in this kind of dis
cussion last winter. Randolph has a
school which, under Principal Hardy, has
achieved an enviable name. Let him
bring class or two and show how the
young ideas are taught to think, are made
real scholars, not sponges to soak up what
fragmentary knowledge the text books
contain. When the executive committee
has done its duty, as it will do it, we'll and
efficiently, let not only the teachers of all
grades throughout the state, but the
parents also come out and make the pro-
posed October meeting grand success.
The newspapers of the state owe it to the
public, to the cause of education, to take
this matter up now and keep it before the
people in one form and another till the
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