The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-01-01

taking, at least 20 per cent of its teaching
force from outside it's limits. New
blood is invigorating and healthy. Again
the committee should act fearlessly and
decisively in removing poor teacher
when occasion requires. A tenure of
Office which secures a teacher her posi-
ton irrespective of her efficiency or NOR
al influence, may be a curse to any com
munity. And again, the committee
should introduce into the school curric-
ulum from time to time whatever prom
Uses to be of educational value. There
are and always will be advancing ideas
on what constitutes public school
education. Our schools, the course of
study, the education offered, should
grow with the growth of thought.
THE TEACHER.
The third factor in school improve
ment is the teacher. We are beginning
to realize as never before that teaching
is professional life business. Ger
tainly there are as many people engaged
in teaching as in the three leading pro-
fessions combined, people as cultured
as scholarly, as consecrated as in any
other field of labor. What is true of the
part should be true of the whole. Hardly
would student to-day think of entering
the profession of law, medicine or the
ology without taking a special prepare
tory course; no sooner should he think
of presenting himself for teachers posi-
ton until he had first thoroughly pre-
pared himself for the work. Not until
the teachers as body are united in an
earnest support of all agencies for adj
vancing the standard of admission to
their profession, not until they demand
the removal of poor and advancement of
good teachers, nor until they recognize
the fact that there is always room for
improvement, however so long they con-
tinue in the service, have they the right
to claim that teaching is profession.
In many ways teachers can cultivate a
professional spirit, by thought and
study; by reading educational books and
journals; by school visitation; by attend
ing Institutes, conventions and summer
schools. Teachers also have it in their
power to cultivate healthy educational
sentiment IN any community. With a
little tact and perseverance they can get
the people into the schools and enlist
their hearty sympathy and cooperation.
Thus the people, the committee and
the teachers, working together, each do
ing its part fully and cheerfully, may adj
vance the school interests in the near
future to standard as yet but dimly
realized.
Today's Proceedings.
This forenoon, beginning at 8 o'clock,
the programme will include addresses by
Mr.. Ell. j. Patterson of Biddeford, on
ungraded schools in cities; by Dr.. G. d.
Wood of East Corinth, on teachers of
English grammar in Maine; by D. E.
Owen of Saco, on studies of English; and
by j. w. Mitchell of Rockland, on school
savings banks. These papers will be
discussed by Professor FL. NJ. Estabrooke
of Orono, Professor T. G. Robinson of
Brunswick, G. A. Dickey of South Ber-
wick, and DR.. w. Il. Goodale of Saco.
This afternoon, beginning at o'clock,
Miss Lucy Wheelock, of the Chauncey
Hall school, Boston, will give talk to
primary teachers; Mr.. G.. f. Robinson of
Kennebunk will give paper on "Analy-
sis and Synthesis in Teaching;'' l. O..
Winslow of St Adams will discuss the
study of agriculture with Mr.. B. W.
McKeen of Fryeburg; Superintendent
w. w. Stetson of Auburn and Hon. j.
o. Bradbury of Saco will discuss teach
ers' tenure of office; and Principals A.
F. Richardson of Castine, III. M. Moore
of Yarmouth, and L. Barton of Bridg-
ton will discuss the needs of the rural
schools.
The Gymnastic Exercises.
In the evening, DR.. F. N. Whittier, di-
rector of the Sargent Gymnasium of
Brunswick, will give paper on physical
training, which is to be discussed by
Principal III. NJ. Small of Norway and
Miss Jennie M. Colby of Gorham. The
paper by Dr. Whittier will be illustrated
by a class of girls from Brunswick, and
will be very interesting. Pupils in the
high and grammar schools of Portland
will be interested in this. The pro-
gramme of the gymnastic exercises will
be:
Free gymnastics.
H.-Wand exercises.
III.-Pole drill.
IV.-Swedish gymnastics.
V.-EXerciseS with rings.
VI-Indian club swinging.