The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1895-04-18
SUPT. BURNS TALKS.
To News Man About Himself. the
Superintendency, and the Canton
Schools.

"Good morning, Mr.. Superintendent 4"
Good morning, sir, have chair. "
DIR. Burns, l called this morning to
learn II you would talk some for News
readers"
"Talk about what9"
About yourself your prospects, so to
speak.
"Well that Is not the most cheerful
topic, just now. But direct IL with a
question or two and I'll join in when l
can.
"What seems to be the matter with the
course Of studyg II seems to be having
ats usual spring airing"
81 do not think there is anything the
matter with it, seriously, beyond the fact
that it is human, and as is true of all
human constructions the light of exper-
fence and changes I'm surroundings suu-
gest nm occasional modification that could
be prudently made.
What change would you recommend
now?"
al am not entirely sure the time has
come yet but | have for two years past
been hoping that the time would come
when the finances of the district would
Justify me in urging upon the board of
education the establishing of a manual
training school but the building of so
many new school houses has seemed thus
Gar valid reason for postponement."
Il think you are right about the good
results Of n manual training school, but
just now what causes all this hubbub
against literature? Has there been any
special addition to the amount of work
done in that branchg'
None at all. The course in literature
was approved by the present board of
education, by its predecessor and its pre-
hecessor. So the entire course which we
are trying to carry out was carefully gone
over and adopted by the present board.
some additions were made, but not to
the literature. Mental arithmetic was
added, a thing Of which was glad. and,
mt my recommendation, written arith-
metic was continued to the end of the A
grammar year, instead of introducing
algebra. No person competent TO form
u Judgment on the subject, who will look
into It, will believe there is valid ground
for an objection to our course of study
that will not lie against the courses fol-
lowed in the best systems of graded
schools In the country As teaching is an
art which demands wide knowledge, the
skill which comes from long study and
thoughtful practice and the constant cx-
crcise of Judgment tact, patience, pcrs O.
Vercncc and several other virtues, it is,
perhaps, not astounding that there Is oc-
rasional failure But as a rule our teach
crs are devoted to their vocation, intelli-
gent in their practice Of it, and dcsirous of
attaining a higher degree of efficiency
Note that l said as a rule. "
"Will you pardon another personal
question not foreign to what we have
already talked about? Are you a candi-
date for re-election?"
"In the ordinary acceptation of that
word am surely not a candidate If the
board as the chosen spokesman of the
people should see fit to re-eect me and
give me its cordial support in the per-
formance of my duties should be glad
20 continue in my present position. But
the position is one attended by much care,
difficulty and responsibility and after hold
ing the superintendency of the Canton
schools for seven years. my respect for
my profession and my associates would
forbid my engaging in a scramble for the
position" "
Give heard persons saying there are
complaints about the number of meetings
which teachers must attend"
1.-THE only meetings which the teachers
are Obliged TO be present at are the grade
meetings and of these there are from six
TO eight of any one grade during the year
In other cities there are many more such !
meetings, and they are often held on Sat |
urday. 1 have kept the teachers Satur- |
days free from school work. The other |
teachers meetings of various kinds are
voluntary organizations, though the |
board of education passed resolution .
advising teachers to attend the reading
circle, TO the charge of fondness for the .
reading of the best writings Of the best .
writers and of habit of trying to aid Others
20 enjoy their sweetness and light l must,
without bOasting, plead guilty. Some
persons do not regard this disreputable "
81 have several other questions that
was directed to put to you, but l suspect .
that your patience is exhausted
Not at all, but no doubt we have gone
beyond the limit of your readers pa
thence"
So longw