The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-13
TEACHERS DEPARTMENT.
c. W. WEIGH, A. NJ, EDITOR.
Next Meeting of the Teachers
Association.

-
Association.
An allusion was made in our edito-
rial of last week to the Teachers
Association OF this county. We be |
lieve that many advantages will be
derived by every teacher who takes |
an active interest in the association;
and as the next meeting is not far |
distant, we have concluded to say a
word to all interested, by way of
securing q full attendance on the first
Saturday of next month. Two con-
ditions are necessary to have a sue
ces8:ul meeting. In the first place,
those individuals TO whom duties Lave
been assigned must come and be
prepared to give to the convention
the best efforts of their study and
experience. It is q serious mistake
ever to appear before any assembly
without having made ones self
familiar with ones subject. We
sometimes listen, with profound ad-
miration for the man, to the burning
cloquence which gives US word
picture Of some great evil to be
Stunned, or some lofty purpose to be
attained, forgetting that the power
that sways US, and which seems to
come spontaneously from the speak
er's soul, is the reward Of toll and
perseverance, We doubt if any ut
terancc worth preserving was ever
made extemporaneously. So, to
those intrusted with the reading of
papers upon designated subjects, we
say, come fully prepared. Remember
that some teachers will ride fifteen
miles to hear you. Do you not think
that you ought to give to them your
best efforts? We do not mean that
you should read the ablest paper to
which the association may ever listen;
but we are firmly persuaded that if
you will try diligently your effort
will be fruitful.
In the second place, to have q sue
eessful meeting, the teachers-not
one excepted-should be present.
The "inspiration Of numbers" is a
potent factor in the speakers success.
He will not be justly rewarded if,
after the time and labor expended in
the preparation of his essay be con-
sidered, it be found that he has no
hearers.
But take another view. Teaching is
a progressive science and difficult
art. He succeeds best who most
fully realizes this fact. No one who
teaches dare say that it is easy work.
The man or the woman who chooses
teaching as his or her life work, ex-
pecting to find light work in an hon.
orabls calling, the old otium cann
dignitte idea, will not long remain
under the delusion. But there is
charm about the work that wields q
strange influence over many of US, an
influence that gains strength with age.
But this influence becomes a curse
and this charm snare, when one
fails to combine into harmony the
conservatism and the progress of his
profession.
Conservatism is happily fully de-
veloped in most Of us. Our preju-
| dices against innovations, our aver
sioDs to new methods, our distrust Of
approved appliances, are such as to
cancel every superhuity of practice
and every error of theory. But our
progress-alas! it needs tender nurs
ing that it may reach the period Of
its vigorous manhood. But why is
this? Plainly, because as teachers
We do not come together frequently
enough to compare notes. Miss A.
teaches in this academy; Mr.. B., in
that one; Miss G. is proving brill
liant success; Mr.. D. is discouraged
and dispirited, and seriously contem-
plates a change Of work. In some
schools the pupils are cheerful and
studious; in others, languid and lazy.
Why all this? There may be many
causes, but we venture the assertion,
that none act more effectively to pro-
duce this stagnation than defective
means and methods. Do you ask
how sach evils may be remedied?
We say, with confidence. come to-
gether and compare methods. Every
teacher in Newberry County should
be intimately acquainted with every
other teacher and his methods. This
acquaintance the association will
give. Will you resolve to help us?
Aad, then, will yor do it? Your
success as a teacher is commensurate
with your zeal Us student.
! zzEee<E