Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1889-02-11
The County Educational Associa-
ton Meeting.

The annual meeting of the County Edu-
catiOnal Association was held i'm Barton
on Friday, Feb. Sth. The attendance was
unusually large, and the meeting the
liveliest and one of the best i'm the history
of the association. The meeting was
called to order by w. E. Sargent of New
port, president. After singing, scripture
was read and prayer offered by Rev. Geo.
S. Chase of Derby. Geo. II. Blake spoke
a few words of welcome, which were re-
sponded to by the president.
The subject, 1.-The Teachers Inspira-
tion,'' was ably presented by Rev. Mr..
Chase. A few OF the points we give:
Mr.. Chase congratulated the meeting on
the large number present, and felt that
this association meeting was great
source of inspiration as well as instruc-
ton. All teachers need an inspiration to
buoy them over the depressing days that
come to them now and then, when they
feel like closing their labors and giving
up the hard and perpleXing duties devolv-
ing upon them Inspiration that will help
in the labors of study and preparation, and
in the harder things of discipline. The
teacher needs that inspiration that shall
be felt in her pupils which shall move
their better and their emotional natures.
The inspiration the teacher possesses
should be independent of special crcum-
stances, and something that triumphs
over failures and defeats. Among the
things that should inspire the true teacher
is the love of truth-anything that is
truth, whether it be found in the principles
of nature, the principles of philosophy
or the works of science. Such immuta-
BILE truths as come to the mind in mathe-
mates and history should be loved because
they are truth. The Importance of truth
as shown in mathematics was shown by
abiding to the CONSERVATION and chaos
which would result if it could be shown
that two and two were not four. The
whole science of figures would be
destroyed by the simple showing that the
two numbers needed did not always pro-
duce four. Another source of inspiration
is love for the pupil-not the bright, ac-
tive, lovely child, but the pupil as such,
whatever circumstances might have made
him. A love that strives for the highest
good in every. pupil; a love that lifts the
poorest, most unfortunate child and longs
to raise him above the degrading things
of earth. The teacher needs the love
that comes from heaven. Hopefulness and
cheer should be enstamped on the face of
every teacher, and should bear her over
the dark days in her school experience.
The Lord, who leads teachers into the
honored place, will help them in the good
work. The remarks, very poorly epito-
miZed, were excellent and most timely.
Miss Fayer, of the Grammar depart
ment of the village school, gave a class
exercise in geography, using one of her
classes. They were thoroughly question
ed and every pupil answered satisfactory |
ly. A very accurate outline map of Afri- |
ca was drawn by Julia Owen, the coun-
tries, rivers, etc, being pointed out by |
Gertie Smith. Mary Field put on to the |
board a fnely-written and accurate de- |
scription of the country.
The subject, Reading" was well dis
cussed by w. Z. Sargent. He spoke of
plain, clear ennunciation, and such a rem
derin9 as best brought out the thoughts |
of the author. He had a word in regard |
to the reading of ''blood and thunder"
trash, and emphasized the need of good
and wholesome reading. Volunteer re-
marks were made by Mr.. Chase and Mr..
Waterman and others.
The afternoon session was opened by
singing. Miss Ballou of Derby Academy
sang q very fine song which was finely
rendered.
Mr.. ID. s. Waterman spoke on the topic.
1.-The Better Preparation of Teachers"
and among the good points made were
Fine theories are not needed; the prac-
tical is more important All teachers are
of necessity more OIL less deficient in book
knowledge, but they should be the best
informed possible; the more one knows
the more he has to impart. The teacher
should gather from all sources that which
he can use and apply in his work. Teach
cfS ut DeSJ NlCuNiCilO III iiCbllONo iSiibills
to the science of teaching. TO overcome
this it was suggested that books aud pc
riodicals designed TO teach pedagogics
should be read and studied. In excuse
for this lack 1t was stated that the age of
teachers, their opportunities for suitable
information, the labors required to be
performed, low pay ahd other causes
necessarily forbade that they acquire all
the knowledge of teaching necessary.
Many who become tirst-class teachers find
better situations elsewhere. The lack of
interest on the part of parents and the
public, tend to make them less efficient,
and possibly, indifferently prepared for
their work. The teacher should strive to
create thirst for knowledge in his pupil
and should teach principles of self-reli-
ance: pupils should trust themselves and
should be made to work out their own
problems. Too much help on the part of
the teacher is an injury. Volunteer re-
marks on this topic were made by Dr.
Badger of Coventry, who recommended a
thorough daily preparation for the work
at hand.
Mr.. Palmer, state superintendent, arriv-
ed at this hour and participated in the
discussion. He said that the teacher need
ed broad culture-the broadcast possible.
He should not become narrow like the law
yer or the specialist who devotes his
whole time and thought to one thing, but
should seek to know much of many things.
The need of individuality was mentioned.
He should strive to incite in his pupils
the desire for knowledge. Teachers are
not using their opportunities as they
might, in forming associations, in meet
ing together and discussing the work and
methods of teaching. They should have
an enthusiasm-not of the head-but of
the heart.
There is need of an educational atmos-
phere about the school-room which the
teachers should help to create, that the
pupils may live and breathe the things of
hooks and of knOyyledoe