The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-07-05

The opening session of the Normal
Institute for colored teachers, was held in
Augusta Street M. E. Church Wednesday
night last. 1.-THE National Brass Band
and the church choir furnished the music.
The singing by the full choir was very fine
and well executed. The session was opened
! with prayer by the Rev. A. W. Fuller of
Mt. Zion church. Prof. w. w. Robertson,
Superintendent of the city public schools,
was present to conduct the programme of
the evening. Messrs. Isaac Witt, VIM.
Wholey, and W. II. Fl. Lynn, represented
the City School Board, and w, j. Tams,
Esq. the City Council. The V6ndicator,
argus. and VALLEY V4RG4NIAN, of the
city press, had representatives present
also. w. H. H. Lynn, Esq, on behalf of
the City School Board, expressed the pleas
ure of the board that the Normal had
chosen Stanton as its place OF meeting.
an 1 called the attention OF the teachers
from other places to the substantial evil
dences of the interest manifested by our
city in pGblic schools, as shown In the
commodious and beautiful buildings
erected for the accommodation of the
schools. He gave some good advice, and
urged upon the parents of colored children
the necessity OF requiring prompt and reg
ular attendance during the school session.
U. Il. Jordan, Esq, superintendent of
the county public schools. spoke of the
good work that had been done by the col
| ored teachers who had come under his OBJ
servation. He, too urged greater atten-
ton to the uninterrupted attendance of
the children during the school session.
Rev. r. II. Porter, of Ebenezer church,
delivered the address Of welcome. and Rev.
j.. A. Holmes, OF the Augusta Street
church, not only welcomed the teachers of
the Normal to the homes and hospitality
of the city, but was glad to offer them the
use Of his church during their session.
Rev. E. Il. BoLlding, Prof Frank Trigg
of Lynchburg, and Prof. DAVIS Of Rich
! mond, Va, responded IN appropriate and
fitting terms, to the address OF welcome
Prof. Davis is quite an orator. and spoke
| in glowing terms CT the benefits and bless
| ings of education. He made fine i'm
preston.
Prof. Trigg, of the Lynchburg Public
schools, is in charge OF the Institute and
was selected by Prof. Buchanan, State
superintendent of Public Instruction, from
long list of applicants on account of
special fitness, to conduct this normal.
Teachers meetings for the discussion of
methods OF teaching and plans for the con-
duct OF schools are held daily in the Acad-
envy building. Every afternoon some gen.
eral subject is selected for discussion.
Friday afternoon, the subject was 1.-The
necessary qualification fora good teacher. >
The discussion Was participated Indy S.
G. Carter, T. Bowles, w. B. Davenport,
J. II. Becks, A. S. Stephenson, and Mary J.
Powell The points made were very good
and proved that the parties to the discus
sion had taken high grounds and sound
and advanced views as to the require
ments and qualifications for good teachers
The discussion was highly creditable and
some OF the speeches were delivered in an
eloquent and impressive manner.
PrOf. RObel tSon, who is giving constant
attention to ali that concerns the Normal
was present as an interested locker on.
The meeting was conducted entirely by
the colored teachers. J. Z. Anderson. of
the city public schools, presided, and
everything passed off pleasantly, and we
are sure will result in good to those taking
part in the proceedings