The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1893-09-08
hartford TEACHERS INSTITUTE
MORE LADIES THAN MEN PRESENT
Address of Welcome by Geo. l.. VanIsib-
ber-Responsc hy Pref. \. +. Galbreath-
Prof. Worthineion's Remarks.
TILE EXERCISES INTERESTING AND IN
STRUCTIVE.

The annual Institute of the Hartford county
public school teachers began ut Bel Air on Mon
day. The county Superintendent, Prof. JOIN
ID. WorthnYton, presided and called the teach
eIs to order. The exercises were opened by
the hearty singing of the grand and inspiring
national hymn, My Country, IT'S of Thee,
by choir, led by Prof. A. Finney Galbreatb,
Miss Irene Miller at the organ. The recitation
of the Lords Prayer in concert followed.
An address of welcome to the teachers was
delivered by Mr.. George l.. VanBbber, of the
Bel Air bar He had Inexperienced, he said
the object of the Teachers Institutes, thinking
they were merely intended for the interchange
of views among teachers, for mutual improve
ment, and not for the benefit of the public as
well.
There is no calling in life which offers the
same grade of reSponsibitiesand duties us the
profession of teaching. To train the tender
mind of youth and lead it i'll right paths of
thought and action is Il serious responsibility
Public school teachers are sworn public officers
of the State and are responsible not only to
parents but to the State, and therefore in these
Institutes they are called on to make report
of what they have done with the trust commit
ted to them. He had also been surprised to
find that one-third of all the money raised by
taxation in Hartford county is for the support
of our public schools and that T5 per cent of
the school money is distributed annually
among the teachers. When you consider how
hard it is to pay these taxes you will be con-
strained to put us much talent, energy and
zeal into your work us you possibly can. Many
of you dobtless think your salaries too
low, but to increase them we must either
increase the burden of taxation or curtail
the number Of schools neither of which is
alone
does not constitute an efficient teacher, A
good teacher is one who can manage the dis
cipline of school and has the faculty of read
lily imparting to others that knowledge which
he himself possesses. This is given but to
few and can be acquired Only by hard work.
We have more specially trained teachers in
Hartford county to-day than specially trained
lawyers. This fact shows the Importance and
high character of your profession.
Mr.. NanBbber eXhorted the teachers to take
an interest in their work, to study hard and
keep abreast of the times i'll their profession.
This will satisfy those who pay the bills and
show that they are faithful public officers.
Prof. \. +. Galbreath, Principal of Darling
ton Academy, responded on behalf of the
teachers to MIR. VanBibber's address. He said
Il professional teacher is one who has good IDEAS
with regard to teaching and can give good
reason for them. The teachers have come
here on exhibition, as it were, but also to have
some of the moss rubbed OF them The young
err teachers fresh from the fountains head and
full of enthusiasm might be able to teach the
older ones something. The evidences of the
value of our public schools, he held, were seen
in the increased enlightenment and education
of the community.
Prof. Worthington deplored the fact that
really able teachers are scarce. 1t Is easy, he
said to find teachers to I'LL $500 and $500
places but when 81 900 place is vacant it is
difficult to find man who can properly fill it.
There are places towards the top i'll teaching
and il is surprising that not more males are
seeking those places. He referred to the in
creased appropriations cheerfuly granted for
public schools by Oar County Commissioners
that the people want better
schools, longer schools and better teachers and
are willing to pay more for them.
The teachers then sang columbia, the Gem
of the Ocean," with fervor and sweetness.
Considerable routine business was disposed
of after which the Institute adjourned.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The Institute was called to order promptly
ut $50 o'clock and began its exercises by sing
ing There's Music i'll the Air."
After roll-call the subject of Examinations
was discussed: Should Examinations be the
sole test i'll making, promotions! If not what
other means should be employed! How and
when should examination papers be marked
Miss Minnie Mason does not think they should
be the sole test. 1t would be preferable to
mark each days work. Timidity may interfere
with good work i'll examination.
Miss Serena Scarborough would not pro-
mote IL child who fails in examination. Pupils
should only be given credit for their actual
work.
Miss Helen Coalc does not think that ten
questions from whole text book is II fair test.
Many large pupils can not attend the final eN-
animation.
Miss Maggie Onley does not think they should
be the sole test. Examinations are an incen-
tive in many cases and should be more frequent.
should be discouraged. The pa
pers should be marked outside OF school hours:
Miss Cassie Lochary thinks promotions should
De more i'll the discretion OF teachers and should
not be made too rapid.
Miss l.. G. l.. Fales prefers oral to written
and thinks they should be only Il
partial test. The per cent. system OF marking
papers is not satisfactory.
Miss Daisy Archer would use daily marks in
connection with the Scmi-annual examinations.
BY the present system pupils are likely to put
Jtf study to the end of the term and then be
obliged to work too hard. Examinations can
not he dispensed with.
Miss Laura Il. Taylor finds examinations
very beneficial but they should he combined
with the daily work.
Miss Jennie Grafton finds them Indispensable
out the Judgment of the teacher should bc al
owed some play.
Mr.. Elmer Cook approves of the report sys-
em. Written reviews should be frequent.
The subject was further discussed by Messrs.
0mwake, Galbreath, Brown and Miss Tacy
Matthews, and closed by Mr.. Worthington, who
gave some practical hints lis to the utility of
examinations and the best manner OF marking
.he papers.
TUESDAY MORNING.
The Institute was called to order ut $50 \.
NJ. The opening hymn sweet Hour of Pray
sr," was sung by the teachers led by Mr.. A. +.
Ialbreath and Miss Daisy Archer, with Miss
Rosa Brown presiding ut the organ. The
read from the fifteenth chapter of John.
After rol-clll Prof. Charles L. Wright gave
an exercise III teaching reading to the higher
grades, the class consisting of Misses bradshaw,
Robinson, Tyler Morgan, Middendorf, Swartz,
Gross, Keen, Woodall and Hutton.
The subject, How much work should the
teacher do outside of the school room ~ was
discussed as follows:
Miss Lydia Carter: The teacher should
speI:d IL part of her spare time in recreation.
Some studying should also be done.
Miss Lydia Robinson: The teacher should
study the best method of teaching the lessons
for the next day.
prepare their work outside of the school room.
They must continually increase their stock of
knowledge, otherwise, they are not progress
siVe.
Miss Ellie J. Galbreath: The amount of
work depends on the size and grade of the
school. Examination papers and Siate-work
San better be marked outside OF the school
room.
Miss Lillian A. Woodall School journals
should be taken and read.
Miss Minnie Lee Chase gave a course of work
which would be very beneficial if carried out.
Miss Minnie Moore: To teach subject
thoroughly we must be well prepared for 1t
the teacher should read subjects
bearing on school work.
Mr.. W. fl. Pcntz: The work depends on the
school and teacher. Teachers should be well
on current events and educational
news. They should also develop original ideas.
Mr.. Charles NJ. Norris The first thing should
be rest. School journals should receive care
tul attention. heading
The subject was further discussed by A. f.
who gaze som d I PrGtiGal hints on on
exercise; also by Miss Bradshaw, Mr.. j. B.
and Mr.. Elmer j. Cook.
After a short recess, Prot. Wright, who occu-
pied the chair, introduced Prof. Levin Irving
Institute Oh THE Growing Mind The adj
iress was one full of practical suggestions to
although Astounding in humor
AFTERNOON SESSION.
SnpcilI officers the IL
by fair association the subject of the panora-
mic display at the last fair and what its nature
should be at the next was taken up.
Miss Lillian Grafton does not think the bene-
fits will pay for the trouble expended.
Miss Olivia King thinks it too much trouble
Miss Maggie Offiey described infinitely the
display of last year and outlined a plan for the
next.
Miss Alice Dick thinks those living ut dis
lance have little chance for display.
Miss Ella Stritehoff found the effect of last
years display quite beneficial on account of
the stimulating effect.
Miss Philena Hutton had not had very
favorable experience.
Mr.. Edward NJ. Brown, Mr.. A. +. Galbreath
and Mr.. Il. j. Cook added some remarks after
which Mr.. A. NJ Fulford explained the object
and plans of the display.
Quite lively discussion followed after
which the subject was laid aside for Il future
meeting.
After singing the 1.-THE Old Oaken Bucket"
Miss Annie Otiley read an interesting essay on
the subject: Is the teacher encouraging the
Growth of the Religious Nature?
Prof William A. Hammel, OF the State Nor
NAL School, gave an interesting lecture, show
ing how philosophical apparatus can easily be
made.
WEDNESDAY MORNING.
Devotional exercises were conducted by Mr..
j. w. PentZ.
The proposed change in the manner of pro-
noting pupils was voted upon by the teachers,
who decided that no change was advisable.
The subject of festival and other eX traordn-
a md hnir Irnl M V.s a Sn1
Miss Ursula Grafton reviewed the work of
school last Ynnr in this line which has