The Washington times., 1895-06-23
Corps of Supervisors.

No description of the Washington public
schools would be complete without reference
10 the supervising principals, or assistant
superntendents, as they are called III many
cities. Ii is admitted by all citizens and
officials alike that TO their special skill
and zeal islargely due the present high stand
ard of work in the several divisions and
in the grades below the high school.
All are teachers OF experience, having
risen, as it We're, from the ranks, all or
nearly all having taught for years in the
graded schools OF washington before pro-
motion 10 their present positions.
Their efforts are directed chiefly to max
ing the purpose of the course of study as d
whole wei understood and therelation that
each part sustains TO the whole.
The principle of school supervision and in
spection by those having authority TO criti-
else and recommend, isvital tothe prosperity
Of any system Of public intruction; but the
effectual application of the principe is
measured 10y the fidelity, tact, judgment,
scholarship and experience of the inspector.
This work should be done by those con-
yersant with the science and art of teaching,
familiar with the doctrine and practice of
of modern education, and in close touch
with both teachers and parents, appre-
ciatiye alike OF the difficulties Of the former
and the just wishes of the latter. In the
board of supervising principals, the city OF
Washington has, without a single eXcep-
ton, just such officials.
No wonder, then, that the general pub
lie is ready 10 commend them, and espe-
cially the teachers themselves, with whom
the supervisors come in daily contact
Their work is multifold, being greatly in
creased Of late years by the adoption of
the free textbook system and the book
keeping and storeroom accounts involved
therein.
In the performance of their vistorial
duties they eEdeavor to ascertain by in
quiry observation and personal observa-
tion the proficiency of the pupils, the
character Of the discipline and instruction,
the classification OF the scholars, the con-
dition and relative merits OF the books
used, the methods and qualifications of
the teachers, and by friendly advice and
counsel to incite zeal for study, regularity
and punctuality in attendance, correct
ness in department, cheerful obedience
TO the teacher, but above all to awaken
in each individual an ambition TO do right
They try 10 make their visits an in
spirational force that the stimulus and
sugg estion of the visitation may make
better students and better teachers. Their
criticism may be at times severe, but sell
dom offends, not only because it is deli
cate, gracious and kind, but especially
because ii is just. All are deeply inter-
ested in their work, and that work is
for the best interests of the schools. They
are, in brief, the executive officers for
the superintendents and the trustees, har-
monizing all diversified interests
Outside of the usual school hours they
hold local meetings of their teachers,
chiefly by grades, besides meeting weekly
sometimes more frequently, at night at
the superintendent call, to map out
new work and to make reports They
also assemble frequently, first in one
division, then in another, at night ses-
sions for the discussion of plans for carry
ing out more effectively the course of in
struction.
We take pleasure in stating their names
and respective assignments: First divi-
sion. c. S. Clark; Second division(A), N
P Gage; Second division (B), W. B. Pat
terson; Third division. A T. Stewart;
Fourth division. Isaac Fairbrotber; Fifth
division, B. T. Janney; Sixth division(A),
J. r. Keene; Sixth division OBJ, j. T.
Freeman; primary methods, Miss E. A.
Denney: Seventh division, H. P Mont
gemery; Eighth division (A), W S. Mont
gomery; Eighth division OBJ, ]. II. N.
Waring.