Rocky Ford enterprise., 1894-01-04
IMPORTANT COLORADO NEWS.
SCHOOL TEACHERS CONFER.

oSssS 80
Annual Session of tho State Association
at Colorado Springs.
The nineteenth annual session Of the State
Teachers Association opened at Colorado
Springs on the 27th with . large attendance
Of teachers and superintendents from all
parta of the state. Two section meetings
werc held In the morning, which were of
much interest.
Tho city superintendents discussed tho
following subjects: "The Superintendent In
the Class Room" and "IIow Should Criti-
cism OF Teacher be Made"
Superintendent Copeland Of Greeley,
thought caro- should be taken not to criticise
. teacher before tho clnss.
Superintendent Greenlee of West Denver,
thought that teacher might be helped II the
superintendent stayed hulf an hour day and
criticised In private.
Superintendent Cove said we should re-
member that teachers often know quite as
much as principals. A superintendent ought
to have been teacher himself. Don't wreck
the whole establishment by telling her she
must change her method.
Tho next topic OF consideration was:
'Shall we abolish examinations a. text for
promotionsl II so, what shall We substi-
tutel"
Mr.. Stevens of Trinidad thought the iudg-
ment Of the teacher might be substituted.
The plan Of Mr.. Kingsley OF Boulder. to
excuse all pupils who made over 30 per cent.
average, was received with much favor.
DR.. Snyder of the State Norm: l. and Mr.
Cove had a lively tilt on the subject Of extra
training In the school. The concensus Of
opinion seemed to be in favor of having the
teachers judgment and tho examination too
Tho county euperintcndcnts met with an
unusually practical and interesting session.
The subject OF "school District Blanxs and
Records and How to Supervise Them" was
discussed at considerable length by superin-
tendent Shepherd of Arapahoe. Many points
Of law were touched upon and explained.
These matters were somewhat technical, but
of much interest to county superintendent
A resolution was pnssed noting with pleasure
the fact that Hon. N. B. Coy has taken charge
of the Colorado School Journal, and plcdging
him support.
Tho first union meeting was held Wednesday
afternoon in the auditorium, President W. G.
Thomas Of Greeley, presiding. After prayer
by DR. Gregg and music by the G,ee club, the
president delivered his annual address. Mar
garct E. Craisc, delegate of the State W. G.
T. u, then read paper on scientific temper
anco instruction.
In the evening the auditorium was COM
pletely filled and two interesting addresses
were given. One was by DR.. Alston Ellis,
of Fort Collins, upon q protest against the
materialistic tendency of present educational
effort.
Aaron Cove, OF Denver, made an address
on the educational situation. llc spoke Of
general educational matters over the country
and then discussed those of Colorado. He
devoted the latter part Of his paper to discus
sion of school work and methods in Berlin,
and believed that they were m improvement
npon those In use in Colorado In the matter
Of permanency Of teachers.
Thursday morning Prof. Coy addressed the
College and High School section upon the
educational feature OF the Columbian Exposi-
tion. Principal G. r. Turnbull Of Colorado
Springs, was elected president and Mrs. Anna
Abrahams Of Brighton, secretary.
The kindergarten section developed some
Of the most interesting papers Of tho day.
President Snyder delivered the opening ad-
dress on preparation for work. The discus
sion was opened by P. W. Search Of Pueblo.
Tho next address was by the state superin-
tendeut, Hon. j. F. Murray, upon "The
Ethical Value OF kindergarten Training
Mrs. Annie Steele Of Denver, read 3 very
practical paper on "How to Start & Village
Kindergarten" and Miss Lydia Hooper Of
Georgetown, spoke upon the transition from
kindergarten to primary school.
At the session Of the association 225 names
were enrolled.
A paper of marked interest and import
ance was read by Superintendent Pattison OF
Colorado Springs, upon "Reconstructiou OF
the Course Of Study" The discussion on
this subject was led by W. A. Platt of Colo
rado Springs, and J. F. Kcat!ng of Aspen.
paper on "The School Principal" was
read by Warren Z. Knapp Of Denver, and
discussed by T. D. Bird of Highlands, and j.
NJ. Daniels of La Junta.
On the evening of the 27th reception was
given to the association by President and
Mrs. slocum and the faculty of Colorado
College.
The topics discussed on the closing day OF
the convention were vertical writing, and In
dividuality in education.
Hon. J F. Murray spoke on "Nceded Leg
islation, ;" and Miss Sarah L. Arnold of Min
neapolls spoke upon elementary Science"
Miss Arnold is conceded to be the foremost
teacher In this branch In the United States,
and what she said was received with marked
attention.
Tho session closed with the business meet
ing and the election of officers, the following
having been reported by the nominating COM
mittec, were elected without opposition
James II. Van Sickle of Denver, president;
Mrs. J. r. Allen Of Pueblo, secretary; direc-
tor, l.. C. Grcenlee of Denver auditor for
three years, E. &. Stevens Of Trinidad. Ad-
journcd.