The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1890-08-07
TEA6HERs'GoLUMN,

/
.a@ All communications intended TO
| this Column should be addressed to D. H
RUSSELL, School Commissioner, Ander
son, S. G.
ANDERSON, S. c., July 25, 1890.
To the Editor Of the Teachers Colxnn
1t may not be amiss to send you a teach
er's impression concerning the recent
session of the Anderson County Teachers
Institute, also few thoughts on the pur.
pose and results of Institutes in general.
Well does the writer remember our
first Institute which was organized in 'S5.
Few of US who we're then teaching knew
little more of its purpose than child.
Some thought it was only to be review
of the subject-matter taught in the
schools. In fact, the question-box re-
yealed the ideas of many teachers on
that point. This first experiment"
proved, beyond doubt, their purpose to
be, not merely to increase and freBhen
one's,knowledge in the branches of study
usually taught, but to inculcate the fun
damental laws and underlying principles
of the art Of teaching and illustrate its
best methods. Institutes are the center
of educational and professional life of
the teacher. They initiate all revolu-
tions il educational work. and enable
few earnest educators to infuso profes-
sional spirit into the masses.
Organization is necessity in any de.
partment of work. By teachers organi.
cations and we'll defined plans of work,
the efficiency of the schools can be
doubled. The Institute, therefore,
comes to the front as an aid in this
direction.
The work of a teacher naturally sepa.
rates him from his co-laborers, aud con.
fines him to his own school room where
he is in daily contact with imma!ured
minds. Ifhe fails to avail himself Of an
opportunity of consulting with prominent
educators, or of associating with his fell
low.teachers, he will soon have very
small horizon of thought and vision as
regards his work. A teacher should
know what other teachers are doing, and
by attending teachers meetings te will
soon fnd out. He will gain not only
information and skill, but enthusiasm
and love for bis work. The zeal that
burns in our heart may kindle another,
until all are in common flame, and feel.
ings of friendship and cordially are
established among the teachers.
Suppose teacher who has not had the
opportunity Of special preparation for bis
work should feel that the salary offered
in his locality docs not justify his
attendance at these meetings. Should
he continue, on that account, to founder
along ss best he can, or should he strive
to supply, at any cost, his lack of prep.
aration? In doing so he might soon be
able to command better salary. The
progressive teacher can not afford to stay
away from Institutes. Ho should try 10
help others, or seek to gain help for him.
self If one could attend every GUNNER,
his former experience and observation
would thus enabe him to understand and
appreciate the lectures all the more. 1t
il far more interesting to attend regu-
larly than for day or SO at time. Some
of us permit outside interest to keep US
away. Although trip 10 the noun
tains, or visit to a friend may be most
desirable for ones sell, yet ne should be
willing to forego pleasure for the sake Of
our pupils. There are few of us who feel
wise enough already without taking this
educational tonic" 30 let us take it
every summer.
The attendance during our last Insli-
tute did not reach that of former meet
ings The women were noticeably in
the majority. Ouly few out Of the
number of most excellent young men
engaged in teaching in Anderson County
were in attendance. They manifested an
interest unsurpassed, and contributed
much to the success of the Institute
When an important enterprise is to be
accomplished, men do not step back and
send women to the front, neither can
they afford to do so in the annual gath
eripgs, for no one can deny their in
portance. It is 3 mistake to measure
the Importance OF such meetings by mum.
bers, for we never had more useful In
stitute than the one just closed. AS
most of the teachers present expected
soon to open their schools, their thoughts
naturally turned toward approaching
school duties. go they were in a frame of
mind to give undivided attention to the
instructions presented and profit by
them. Besides, forty-fve teachers rep
resent not few pupils.
The Institute opened July 7th and
closed July 18th 1t was conducted by
Prof. G. Ell. Albert of the Pennsy lvania
State Normal School, who vas assisted
by DR.. S. Lander of Williamson Female
College, and Miss A. E Bonham of the
Winthrop Training School, Will not
attempt 10 give detailed account of the
work, but will present a few points con-
cerniug the work of each instructor.
For two years the teachers have had
the benefit of Prof Abert's faithful,
intelligent aud enthusiastic services His
talks Oh Psychology were highly inter
esting and instructive. He took pains to
illustrate and apply all the theories ad.
vanced. Special cases of mental phe-
nomena and peculiarities were discussed.
The knowledge Of his method of per-
forming many difficult arithmetical
problems, would be valuable to. any
teacher 1t can also be applied to sim.
| tboo1,sIt1