Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-13
supER1N4ENpENrs IN SESSION.
They Discuss Many Questions Relating to Their
Work-Wii Probably Hold Another
Meeting Next Fall.

WOrk-M1u PrOD3oly 6OiQ A0otner
Meeting Next Fall.
The city superintendents convened yes
terday morning in the pariors of the Met
ropole, and organized by the election of
Superintendent Bloss as chairman and Su-
perintendent Chidester as secretary. The
first topic taken up was Upon what
should promotions be based?' There are
three points usually considered; the writ
ten examination, the recommendation OF
the teacher and the record Of daily les
sons. A meritorious promotion should be
sustained by all of these tests, yet there
are many cases where pupils should be al
lowed TO advance they will fail to
meet either of these conditions.
In an ideal school, with ideal teachers,
in an ideal community, with Utoplan con-
ditions, the teacher should be allowed to be
the judge Of all promotions, but under
ordinary circumstances some defense must
be furnished to protect the teacher against
unjust accusation and charges of partial
ity. This calls for some standard or pro-
motion. Diversity of opinion prevailed as
TO the manner of conducting examinations,
1t was thought by some that they should
be exhaustive and thorough, and held at
regular stated periods. Others maintained
that examinations should be short and
frequent, aud at unexpected, or, at least, at
unannounced times The discussion OF the
various phases of the subject occupied the
whole of the forenoon session,
At the close, it is thought that each one
while enlightened as to the views of the
others held about the same himself as at
first. Methods that prove satisfactory,
and very successful with one superinten-
dent and corps of teachers would be fat
failure with others differently constituted.
The afternoon up to recess time was
spent in visiting the Fourth ward schools
and tie high school. The afternoon
session which was called to order at
o'clock was held in the city superinten-
dents Office. The subject of the afternoon
discussion was 1.-The relation between the
superintendent and the teachers" Inc
superintendent should be a friend to the
teachers, not simply a critic, and an
officer over them. He should be able to re-
spond to the longing for sympathy,
and should be known and noted
for candor and sincerity. superintendent
may give model lessons in some cases but
ton. If the superintendent is of too much
consequence in the school organization
teachers suffer in comparison. Pupils in
attaching SO great Importance to the SUI
perintendent are apt to think meanly OF
their teachers-uo consider them as subor-
dinates only, and the persons who really
do the work-the teachers-are thus weak
ened rather than strengthened. The real
ly efficient superintendent is the one who
strengthens and supports his teachers and
who is himself willing to remain in the
background.
A really good teacher must have a
high ideal. Many teachers have taught
poor schools because they have had no
clear conception of good school
add what constituted it. Many Of these
same persons after getting correct no
ton of what is required, became good
teachers Normal schools do good work
by giving correct ideas. The teacher
should strive to get the superintendent
ideal rather than his methods. The end.
not the means, should be the principal
thing sought.
At 4:3O the session adjourned to meet
with the city teachers, who had meeting
st that hour in the high school room.
Hon. George w. Winans being present,
was introduced and spoke briefly. His
remarks were warmly appreciated by the
teachers. He was followed by Superin-
tendent Boss, of Topeka; Prof. j. H.
Miller, of Campbell University; Prof.
Fitzpatrick, Mr.. H. G. Wilson,
and others. This meeting has not been as
largely attended as the next one will be,
but those present have done work that
will be heard from in the general associa-
ton. The visiting superintendent took
the evening trans last night full of good
words for Wichita.
State Superintendent Winans was seen
last evening and expressed himself as
very much pleased with the work of the
meeting. He seemed to think the super
intendent of schools in cities of the first
class should hold one or two meetings
each year and discuss many questions that
come up in their line of work. He seemed
to think it would be well TO hold another
meeting next fall just before the school
year commenced or soon after with the
hope that some of the conclusions reached
might amount to something in the next
years work.