The Republican journal., 1889-09-05
To the Teachers of Waldo County.


FELLOW TEACHERS: At the last meeting of
the Waldo County Teachers Association in
Swanyillc, proposition was made for forma-
ton of ''Teachers' Improvement Sorietv"
The matter was referred to the undersigned
committee to be reported upon at the next
meeting. SO far as we are able we wish to
make report sufficiently definite to enable the
Association to decide what to do The essen
tial thing is cooperation of Il sufficient number
of teachers.
Unless this cooperation can be had j., of course
the matter fails. This i the first matter to be
determined. and the object Of this address
is to get your views; our report will be deter
mined largely by your answers or lack of an
>wcrs.
We are a little puzzled how to put thi, be-
fore you. 50 far we have only proposition
to establish such society. What will be done
and how it will be done are matters for
settlement when the organization is made
We feel authorized to say that its member
ship will De largely if not entirely of teachers
in Waldo County; It's object, as its name i'm
plies, mutual Improvement Of its members in
tHe art OF leacnlH9, anu secondary OBJ
ject, creation OF livelier and more intelligent
interest in school matters en- part of the gen
eral public. How these two things will be
brought to pass we do not feel authorized to
say, and can only point out some Of the ways
that may be followed. The whole matter is
for youto decide.
TO bring about the Iiyelier and more intelli-
gent interest Of the public we may:
MAKE Use OF TIE LOCAL PAPERS.
Both are always willing and anxious to give
space for the discussion Of all public questions
of general interest and have agreed to give Us
column. We ran keep constantly before
the lEblic eye the condition and needs of our
public schools. We can secure CORES pondence
from school officers and others interested touch
ing tile actual needs Of tile schools. Such
articles will 10 more to Stir up the people
than acres Of general statements, for they will
all deal with matters at home. We can secure
CORE -pomdcncc from educators outside of our
county.
MAKE Use OF THE FAIRS.
This j. indeed one of the best ways we can
take Of creating iublir sentiment. All attend
can have department there Show specimen,
Of map drawing, writing actually done by tie
pupils, with the name Of the pupil, teacher,
town and school. SHOW specimens Of indus
trial drawing or articles made by scholars. or
in amy way bring to the public eye the actual
work of tho schools. OGer a prize for the
best collections of howerS, minerals, insects,
L., t,ft ,pI friIit
tela> and gardens, Sc. secure for exhibition
from manufacturers articles Of school use,
>ich improved desks, charts, globes, text
books. Nc. Secure from competent architects
plans Of GOOD practical country school houses.
SECURE PHOTOGRAPHS OF HOUSES As THEY
ARE.
As TO the other purposes, mutual improve
mcnt in our art, We may:
MAKE USE OK THE LOCAL. PAPERS.
Continue through them discussions opened
in the conventions. Assign to members Of the
association subjects ami publish the essays;
sccHre contributions from educators ont Of the
county, Clip extracts from educational jour
nal> showing new methods, improvements on
Ola oncs. new school appliances, &c. Publish
report, from different schools in the county.
Publish list of agents for the Use of teachers
and i>t> of teachers for Use of agents.
INCREASE INTEREST IN COUNTY CONVENIIo>S.
Let I'll teachers bring here specimens Of their
school work suggested for fairs. Any ayt-
rlc> for school use they Have made fnr them
selves will he Of greatest u~e. Bring >pcc-
men, Of natural history collections suggest
ed for fairs. .\l>o secure from manufacturers
fer exhibitions specimens of improved school
furnishings.
SECURE PROFESSIONAL. READING.
Let Il portion Of the funds be expended in
standard educational works. standard perod-
cal>, recent publications on methods, ,Nc., and
circulate these among the members. The plan
j, simple. Members are divided into groups IN
which all are quite near \ lot Of books i
sent to each group and passed from one to an
other for reading. When the County Associa-
tion meets these books are gathered in, the Old
ones sold, and new ones bought. Having seen
and read these works teachers know lust what
they want TO huy in the way Of books, and
through the Association special rate. can he
obtained These are SOME " the ways in
which we may work. Shall Wc have such 4
society? Please consider thi- addressed to
ror, PERSONALLY. Also please answer to
any one Of this committee these questions:
DO YOU approve such an organization: Have
You any amendments or additions to make to
the plan proposed? Will you join such So
ciety if the dues for joining are not more than
Two dollars for men and one dollar for women
and the yearly dues not more than one dollar:
Please let Us hear from You soon and definite
y, a> We wish to be ready with our report for
the October meeting.
Yours truly,
MARY MCCLURE, Sear,port,
NELLIE J. PIERCE, Belfast, Com.
MARIA MITCHELL. Freedom,