Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1892-05-13
Educational Matters.

Virginia teachers will be at no loss to
know where and how to spend part
of their vacation when they consult the
programme of arrangements made for
summer work, combined with recrea-
ton. They need not go beyond the
borders of our own State, as many of
them have hitherto done, to secure the
very best facilities for Improvement af-
forded by summer training schools.
The growing demand for professional
| ly educated teachers cannot be met by
the regular normal schools, as the sup
ply they furnish year after year is small
when contrasted with the number
(nearly 5000 required TO conduct the
public schools of the State. While in
Stitutes, as temporary normal schools,
are not substitutes for regular normals,
they are held during the cessation of
the teachers routine and so afford many
teachers engaged in the schools about
the only opportunity for Improvement
available to them.
Last year the attendance upon the
various institutes was the largest on re-
cord. State Superintendent Massey is
making efforts to secure still larger
attendance this summer, and he has no
doubt that the excellent provisions for
the work will command such attend
ance.
The first of these institutions to open
is the ''Nirgina Summer School of
Methods at Bedford City. Its session
covers four weeks, beginning June
9th. This school illustrates the high
est type ofthc summer training schools,
providing academic and professional in
struction adapted to all grades fteach-
ers. Many of the best educators i'll the
country will be present and take part
in the course of instruction.
Superintendent L. c. Glass, of
Lvnchburg, is the conductor, and
superintendent n. ID. Hawkins, of Bed
ford City, the local manager of this
school.
The officers of the State educational
association anticipate Il grand meeting
at Bedford City, July Goth to 23d. The
superintendents' conference will be Ill
session at the same time and place.
The programme prepared for these
meetings covers the following topics:
Teachers Salaries" Uniformity of
State Examination of Teachers, " "Fir-
ginias Educational Exposition at the
Worlds Fair" University Extension"
''Higher Education of Women" "Phy-
steal Culture" Teachers Reading Cir
clcs, :" school Supervision"
''Supcrintendents' Day" will be
given to such matters touching the
practical administration of the schools
as superintendents may introduce.
Among those who are expected to
participate iii the proceedings are Gov
ernor Mckinney, Hon. r. Taylor Scott,
Hon. John f. Massey, Hon. John W.
Daniel, DR.. John L. Buchanan, DR..
William II. Ruffner, Professor John A.
Cunningham, Miss c. S. Parrish, DIR.
w. II. Payne, Capt. c. Z. Vawter, DIR.
Thomas NJ. Ballet. Miss Corinne Harri-
son. and county and city superinten-
dents, principals and teachers of the
State.
In connection with the meetings of
the association and conference at Bed
ford City an exposition of school work
will be made, representing the efforts
of pupils of the public schools through
out the State. This feature promises
TO be specially attractive and highly
valuable. Pupils, teachers and many
school officers manifest much interest
in the exhibit. and from present indica-
tions every city and county of the State
will contribute some product of the
pupils work. The best specimens pre-
sentcd will be sent to the Worlds Fair.