Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1892-07-28
TEACHERS IN SESSION.
Washington County Teachers Nor
NAL Institute.
Large AttendanCe-.-P Profitable Work.,
Good Results Looked for.

County met in convention and elected
Prof. Chas S. Mason Chairman, and
w. M. Odell Secretary and Treasurer.
The attendance was larger than it has
ever been before and while this is
partly due to growing sentiment in the
county in favor of the public schools
and their workings, the chief part is
due to the untiring and earnest efforts
of our able and efficient County Super
intendent, +. T. Watts.
The history of normal training in
Washington County dates back to 1876
Since that time annually the teachers
have met in convention and discussed
ways and means to further on the work
OF the public schools of the county.
But only in recent years has the great
Importance of the work been realized {;
and while Prof. Watts has taken the
lead in this, he has been ably and earn
estly assisted by such eminent educa-
tors as Prof. Chas S. Mason, N. B. Sher-
fey and many others. .
The Glass of '76 probably contained
forty teachers that of '92 contained
nearly one hundred, and while the
class has grown in number it has GER
tainly taken much higher stand in a
mental and moral point of view.
1t was said during the session of the
Normal land by eminent authority,
too, that after an attendance ON eleven
during the summer, the Washington
County Normal stood at the head of the
list. The Washington County teachers
are not flattered by these words. The
writer having been in nearly every Nor
NAL since rs bears evidence to the same.
And while the teachers stand on ad-
vanced ground, yet there is room up
higher.
The Importance of the public schools
is looming up higher and higher, and
we predict that the time is near at hand
when the public schools will be recog-
nized as the salvation of the beautiful,
beloved sunny South.
1t would give us very great pleasure
to speak in detail of the excellent work
of such educators as President j. w.
c. Willoughby, of Washington College,
Prof. G. S. Mason, of Jonesboro, Prof.
John p. Henderson, of Fall Branch,
Superintendent Freeland, of johnson
City, and others who have taken an ac-
tive part in the work of the Normal,
but limited time and space forbids.
We must, however, repeat what Pres
dent Willoughby has so faithfully por-
trayed-that the coming teacher will
be far in advance of ours of today
Can the teacher in his or her present
condition, do that work? Most as
suredly not. The coming teacher will
soon supplant the teacher OF today,
unless there is general advance all
along the line. This advance must be
made. The interests of our pupils de-
mand it; the interests of the parents
demand it the interests of our cOun-
try demand it fhe interests of the State
demand it; the interests of humanity
demand it. Who shall take the lead ?
The course of text books has been
enlarged and improved upon. This,
we think, is very hopeful. However,
there is some objection urged in this
matter.
1t is said by some that the public
schools are overreaching their rightful
provinces. This is not true. The course
of training in the schools should be so
extensive and so thorough that when
pupils complete their course they are
fitted for good and useful citizenship.
We see the future full of bright prom
Use. We see a better day looming up.
The signs of the times are full of hope.
As evidence of this we offer one proof
the number of able and intelligent
young ladies entering on the work of
teaching, for most assuredly the best
part of teaching in the future is to be
done by her. Who shall say that such
teachers as Miss Baker, Miss Sherfey,
Mrs. Taylor and score of others of
the present year, will not be an ever.
lasting honor in the work. Gentle.
men, take heed to your laurels the la.
dies are stepping to the front. We bid
you Godspeed. Go ON in the work.
When the Southland shall have been
redeemed, it shall be by woman s hand
Near the close of the Normal the fol
lowing was sent 10 the State Teachers
Institute in session in Knoxville, Tenn.
to-wit:
"JoNEsBoRo, Tenn, Z, 23, 90,
lone hundred teachers of Washing
ton County send greetings to the State
Teachers Institute in session in Knox
/ vile. w. NJ. ODELL, Sec."
, Immediately the response came
KNOXVILLE, Tenn, Z, 90, 90.
wv. NJ. 0DELL, Sec., Jonesboro
: 1.-TWO hundred and sixty three teach
ers of the State Teachers Institute il
session in Knoxville return greeting
: to Washington County Institute.
"B. II. DAVIS, Sec.
The following resolutions were ther
, adopted and the Normal of 1892 closed
. s.. w, NJ. ODELL, Sec.
= We, the teachers of Washington
: County, assembled in Jonesboro, in
Normal Institute, July IS, 1892, unani
mously pass the following resolutions
! First-That we, as teachers, return
9 our sincere thanks to our worthy Su