The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-06-18
The Normal.
WHAT INSTRUCTION MAY BE LooKEI
FOR AT THE COMING NORMAL.


AS Secretary of the Local Committee. ]
have received from time to time, num-
Der of communications asking what will
be the course of instruction pursued by
those who have charge of the teachers
during the sessions of the approaching
Institute.
To these | reply first and generally, that
this Instruction. as well as the inStruc-
tion OF normals everywhere, will in a large
degree, depend upon what the teachers
themselves determine it shall be. Every
teacher is Supposed to know better than
any one else what his particular wants in
the school room are. If so, then he has
simply to confer with the professor in
charge OF the class, for whatever Informal
tion he may desire to have. In this way
surely in one month most, if not all of the
main topics which directly concern each
teacher in the daily routine of his school
work, may he reached and satisfactorily
discussed. We may therefore conclude
that lice teachers will make lively nor
NAL, and that the success of the school
will depend upon the teachers, and not
upon those who do the talking.
3D. Prof. Chas. II. " inston. of Rich
mond College. writes us amongst other
things: Il want to do as little as possible
OF mere lertnring, and as much as possible
Of aotNei, dQaqfde teaching, and would be
glad to b " this purpose of mine fully
known and understood in advance
In this we find at least an indirect as
surance, that the immediate and pressing
wants Of the fraternity will be attended to-
and as far as possible all eXtraneous mat
ter summary rejected.
Sd. DR.. w. III. Ruffner, our former
State Superintendent and one of the most
thoroughly finished scholars in the State,
will be present. 1t is needless to say that
more practical or a more thorough edu-
Gator will not grace the platform of this or
any other institute in the country.
4th. The mastery intellect of the Hon.
j. l.. M. Curry, will in series of lectures
replete with all the facts and figures Of the
progress of free education fifty pave the
way for the more particular subjects in
which each teacher is closely connected.
9th. Our present State Superintendent,
Hon. Il. Il. Farr, who it may be reasona-
bly, supposed knows more Of the
working OF our free school system In Vir-
ginia than any other man in the State.
will be here. No one will be more eagerly
anticipated OF listened to more attentively.
But Notwithstanding all this array of
superior talent, repeat, the suggestions
OF the humblest teacher may outweigh, at
least IN practical Importance. the fanciful
theories Of the most popular lecturers and
speakers of the day.
Every thoughtful, earnest teacher will
therefore conclude that in no small meas
ure, the success of our normal will rest on
his own individual exertion, and not upon
what others may do or say.
AS an humble member of the profession
having spent the major part of my life
within the walls of the school room, with
what success God only knows, feel still
like contributing my part towards pro-
noting the good of my fellow teachers
everywhere, and promise without reserve
to aid them in every way [ can.
Respectfully, ]. NJ. STEFFEY,
Seo Local Com.