Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-05-01
TEACHERS, INSTIi UTE.
IL Adlourns Sine Die-Closing Exercises
Resolutions Passed-Etc.


Resolutions Passed-Etc.
The Sacramento County Teachers In
stitute, which commenced its session on
Wednesday last in the Capital Grammar
School building, in this city, adjourned sine
die at $50 P. NJ. yesterday. Much has been
written and said in opposition to the hold
ing OF these Institutes, but the opposition
has in nearly every instance come from
those who care nothing for self-training as
instructors, whose only object and apparent
aim is to secure certificate, by some means
or other. then get position in the public
schools. Here they seem to lose all further
desire to fit themselves for the profess
sion they have taken, their only
object thereafter being TO regularly
draw their salary. Such teachers never
succeed, such teachers are no honor to the
profession, and of such teachers Sacramento
at this time has but very few, as the excel
lent attendance at the Institute and the
interest manifested in its proceedings bear
evidence. 1t is safe to say that no former
county Institute held in this city contained
as many bright, scholarly and thoroughly
practical educators as did the one Just ad-
journed. 1t was a miniature normal school
from its beginning to its close. There was
a total absence of long-winded addresses
upon Anticipated subjects, or prosy essays
upon texts long since worn threadbare. In
their stead the Institute was divided into
three class-rooms, and the best methods of
teaching the different branches were illus
trated and discussed. The shortest route,
the most comprehensive ailj Simplest sys-
TENS were talked over, often teachers would
differ as to methods, sharp debates would
Ill i
mean obtained.
Joseph 0'Connor, Deputy Superintend-
ent of the Public Schools of San Francisco,
thoroughly practical teacher, attended
the Institute, and added much to its inter-
est and success, as did also Mr. Raymond,
who is preparing the California State series
of textbooks.
Yesterdays SESSION.
The Institute was called to order at 915
A. NJ, yesterday. Over one hundred lady
teachers answered roll-call, as did also
some four or five OF the lords of creation.
There was such a disparagement in the
humber of the sexes that the men were lost
sight Of altogether, at least by the reporter
who at times imagined he was in q womens
convention. What the men lacked in
numbers they more than made up, how
ever, in volubility, for some of them did
more talking than half of the females put
together. Many amusing episodes took
place, and some of the debates were
marked with repartee and wit A gentle
man, who was quite a stickler upon GER
tain point under discussion, and who had
spoken several times upon the same ques-
ton, was lied to order by a lady member,
who gently reminded him of the old say
ing that Boys are to be seen, not heard"
1t had the desired effect-the gentleman
subsidized
After roll-call yesterday morning Miss
Crowell rendered a fine selection on the
piano. Her playing was artistic, and re-
ceived with applause. The teachers then,
as on preceding days, divided off into three
sections-A, b and c.; the blackboards
were brought into requisition. and the
teachers became for the time being pupils,
under the tutorship of Professor Clements
in penmanship, Professor Hyde in gram
mar, Professor Carlson and Miss Hughes in
drawing. Instructions were thus given and
received until the neon hour. The in
structions in drawing by such competent
tutor as Professor Carlson was most inter
esting, and one of the most instructive and
pleasing features of the Institute. Pro
fessor QConnor addressed each section
upon primary work, and described the sys-
tens most successfully employed in the
schools OF San Francisco.
AFTERNOON PROCEEDINGS.
The attendance at the afternoon session
was the largest OF the week. the lumber of
absentees being quite small. The Com
mittee on Music, this being the last oppor-
tunity, requested some OF the male mem
bers tor render something vocal or instru-
mental. Their bashfullness forbade, and
that part of the programme was omitted
Mr.. 0Connor then addressed the Iustit-
ute upon several subjects, commencing
with physiology. He said physiology and
hygiene were taught in the schools. He
thought the order should be reversed, Civ
ing hygiene the preference. His remarks
upon the proper observance o. hygienic
laws were pointed and practical, especially
so regarding ventilation and cleanliness
He SAID there were many things regarding
our public school system that were wrong
which in time will be Tectihed. First, as
general rule we have unfit Boards of Edu-
cation. The requisite for a member of a
Board OF Education is not merely that of a
safe business man, one who can drive q
good bargain or make q close contract, but
on the contrary he should be q thoroughly
competent educator. an ordinary business
man is as little qualified FOR the position of
a School Director rs 4 teacher is TO be a
business man. As a general rule Boards of
Directors arc chosen from political bodies,
and their only object and sole aim is to lay
a foundation for future political prefer
ment In other words, they are simply
paving their way TO an objective point
which in almost every instance is The
spoils of office. They have no fitness for
the position they hold, they are not COM
petent to employ teachers or pass upon their
fitness, and know simply nothing about
frs.sf flss sob. q.
ings, their education, their knowledge of
the wants or requirements of. the schools
are not what they should he They are
clothed with authority they do not know
how to administer, and
FAvoRITIsM INSTEAD or MERIT
Wins with them, discourages the compe-
tent and faithful, and places stumbling
blocks in the way of progress. The Boards
of Education should be as the name would
seem to imply - q Board of educators,
school people Of broad views, of long ex-
perience and success, men competent of
directing classes and instructing teachers.
Then indeed would there be progress all
along the line. Then would our schools
arrive at that proficiency they should, but
do not enjoy. The School Boards should
not be selected as they are now, regardless
OF their fitness for the position, but they
SAltdAb bC uHrpllltEi every Two Years DIV g
competent body, say the County Judges.
They should not be asked to serve as they
do now, without compensation, but should
receive good salary, even better than that
paid teachers. In that way
COMPETENT BOARDS WOULD BE SECURED.
And men who now pack Conventions to
get nominations for the Office would hardly
have the hardihood to appear before such a
body and ask TO be commissioned. Poll
tics Is NOT the only requisite they would
soon understand that competency. and that
alone, would entitle them to consideration.
ANOTHER SERIOUS DRAWBACK.
Unframed teachers IS another serious
drawback to the cause of education. MANY
persons take charge of class of pupils;
they have a certificate and are called
teachers, it is true, but are they teachers
They have no knowledge whatever Of
psychology; they have never received an