The aegis & intelligencer., 1892-09-09
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THE TEACHERS, INSTITUTE:
hartford. School Teachers Sharpening
Their WIts-Interestiug and Profitable
Discussions.


Their WIts-Interestiug and Profitable
Discussions.
Reported for The .Egis.
MONDAY MORNING.
The Institute was called to order by the
tho County Examiner, Mr.. John ID. Worth
ington, who presided during the exercises
The teachers sang selection, Miss
performing on the organ, after which Rev.
j. NJ. Slarrow, of the NJ. E. Church, conducted
devotional exercises. Mr.. Worthington then
introduced Mr.. 8. A. Williams, of the d i Air
bar who delivered the address of welcome.
He said the reason the teachers were SO well
come to the taxpayers and citizens is because
the efficiency of our public schools is largely
due to the teachers. Farmers work hard and
watch every expenditure and it is therefore
important to keep the schools in n state of
greatest efficiency, in order to Justify the ap-
preparations made for them. The administra-
ton of the schools for the past 10 years has
been so careful and economical and the school
board has been so desirous OF laying before
the people the manner IN whlch tnelr money
has been spent, that every appropriation asked
for which is approved by the people mas Deen
granted. You must not be satisfied, sald Mr.
efforts show that you are improving. There Is
no better method to do this than 10 keep con-
stantly before your minds the dignity OF your
profession, which is next to that of the minister
of the Gospel. You are welcome here on ac-
count of the good administration OF our
schools and ON account OF your eliclency as
teachers. Keeping i'll mind the dignity of your
calling will be great aid in making many
thorny places smooth. MIR: Williams said ne
teachers, regulated by grade and length OF
service. This won tend TO incrcase the enec-
tiveness of the corps. ii teachers would keep
before them the idea of constant improve
ment in the schools, public sentiIncnt would
justify the County commissioners ana the
School Board in making increased appropria-
tions, thereby accomplishing great results Tor
Hartford county and themselves.
School Commissioner William II. Harlan,
formerly county school examiner also DC
livercd an address of welcome to the teachers
lie said the schools, since his connection with
them ten years ago, have been steadily nd
vancing showing that the present corps OF
mt heurt. That interest, he said, is sure TO
bring its own reward. As the people of the
county sec you are doing good work the tax
PAYERS will be ready to hold out money to keep
up the progress. Teachers he said, could com
mend the schools to taxpayers by having their
school houses cared for, their schools well con-
Quoted and the instruction efficient, so that
each school would become the centre OF in
terest and pride in its neighborhood. Then
when the question of appropriation for the
schools comes up you Will have i most cfll-
cient aid i'll popular sentiment. Teaching is the
most important Of all professions. The teach,
er has in his care little children from to 8
years of age during the greater part of their
waking hours. What tremendous power
over them for good or evil and how great the
responsibility Keep that idea before you and
it will increase your efficiency. In teaching
the younger children he advised teachers to
instruct them by what Is familiar TO the eye
and ear in everyday life.
Mr. NJ A. Newell, of the Havre de Grace
High School. responded to the speeches OF well
come in Il pleasant address. While he agreed
with tine cncomiums upon the schools and their
administration, they are still he salu like young
children, not able to walk alone. On one SIDE
they need encouragement of the family, since
the school is but an extension of the family re-
iatiou. On the other side they need tine sup
port of public opinion-not neighDornood Sos-
sip but the helping hand of organized society.
The schools likewise need the eftlclent, Sympa-
thetic assistance of the district school trustees.
They need the organized assistance of the coun-
ty school hoard. which they have always had.
He compared the duties of the Institute to that
of carpenter sharpening his tools for more
MIR. John D. worthington outlined the work
of the Institute ann said that every one pres
ent was expected to be q teacher and not
vided and he urged each teacher 10 take notes
of the exercises for reference during the year.
The choir then sang Aud Lang Syn2" and
the convention settled down to work.
Prof Newell gave an interesting talk on the
Psychology of Teaching, which was interrupt
ed by adjournment to dinner.
MONDAY AFTERNOON.
At 2.3O the Institute was called to order, the
teachers joined heartily in singing columbia,
the Gem of the Ocean Inc roll was called
Miss Lide Coale does not think it would be
profitable and rather inconvenient for teachers
to visit other schools.
Miss Lillian Grafton thinks such course
would be very profitable.
Miss Ida Shane thinks pupils would be stim-
ulated by such visits.
Miss Florence Street, would observe the
methods used by other teachers and profit
thereby.
Miss Ada Andrew thinks that teacher
could enlarge her views and receive much ben
eft. The Board should regulate such visits;
Miss Rosa c. Brown.-By visiting other
schools we could compare different methods
and adopt the best. 1t would pay even if we
had to close our own schools during the time.
Miss Nellie Barron would like better to visit
than to be visited
Miss Nellie GLADDEN. has derived much bene-
fit from such visits in the past
Mr.. Grafton f. Day does not find school WIS.,
iting practicable, although it might be very
profitable. The loss of time would be objec-
tionable
Mr. john b. Scarborough.-Much depends on
the motive that prompts the visit. 1t should
not be Il mere social visit but for the purpose
of Improvement By al Interchange OF views
we can keep out of the ruts. We can all learn
something from Others. The Examiner should
regulate such visits.
Mr. j. NJ. Hendrix fayor5 District Institutes
rs substitute for visits.
Miss Minnie Lee Chase thinks we could gain
much by visiting other schools.
Mr.. 4. Finney Galbreath favors visits II they
do not interfere with school work.
Miss Tacy b. Matthews favors an interchange
of views and methods. The teacher should Sc
lect her own school for visiting.
Miss Richmond, of the Normal School, de-
s1rbed ut length her visit to the schools of Bos
ton and vicinity, outli ing the proper method |
of making visits and showing concluslvcly the
great benefits to be derived
The subject was closed by Mr.. Worthington. |
BY rising vote II teachers ont of 30 declared
themselves in favor of visiting other schools, |
under regulations of the Board.
After singing the appropriate hymn, "Tw- |
light is Falling" Miss E. V. Kicker, of the State
Normal School, read an essay on 'The Chau- |
tauqua."
TUESDAY MORNING.
The Institute opened by singing sun of My |
Soul" and Scripture reading by Prof; Newell. |
The question, SIS Spelling Growing Worse in |
our Schools, and if so why, and the remedy! |
how to teach spelling in the different grades" |
Miss Evalena Pennington uses the word |
method and finds spelling improving.
Miss Mary OBren.-Spclng cannot receive !
the attention it did when there were fewer |
studies.
Miss Rose Stifler gave her mothod of teach !
ing spelling, which is quite successful.
Miss Gertie Gross thinks spelling is i!nproy- |
ing. Spelling matches are beneficial.
Miss Laura b. Taylor read an essay on the |
subject as did also Mr.. Harry Lanius both of !
whom gave excellent ideas on the subject.
Mrs. Russell does not think there is much !
change i'll this direction. Has used the word !
method with good results Prefers written to |
oral.
Mr.. Geo B. Cumming thinks written spelling |
is improving. Copying reading lessons is bcn-
eticial.
The question was further discussed by Miss |
Laura Jones, Mr.. Elmer Cook. Mr. Chas. Will |
son Mr. A. F. Galbreath, Mss Tucy Matthews, !