The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1895-08-31
COMMUNICATED.
Editor Messenger:

MCooChBCI.
As the time for re-opening the public
schools of the parish is near at hand. l
thought probably that a practical sug-
gestiOn would not be amiss- especially as
it may have some bearing upon the fu-
turs pedagogical status Of our parish.
In several parishes of this state there
exist Monthly Teachers Institutes
where teachers are wont to meet once u
month under the direct supervision OF
the Parish Superintendent OF education
to exchange ideas. and Introduce meth
obs for the advancement of pupils-tea.
chers in these institutes being the d.
rect. and pupils the indirect beneficial
ries. Papers are prepared Oh diverse
subjects. read. and, discussed, upon
every day work in the schOOl-rOOm,
which tends Of course to influence tea.
chers to more thorough preparation
for their work. We are living in pro-
gressive, and we Il mean teachers) as
moulders of the minds Of future men
and women should keep abreast Of the
times. and there Is no better way to do
this than by qualifying ourselves a.
thoroughly as possible for the great
work We are to perform. II the prima-
ry object of education be- the mental de-
velOpment Of individuals. we should try
to develop that innate faculty as care
fully as we should the physical develop
ment OF child. Now Mr.. Editor there
are few teachers ! think that have been
fortunate enough to have had a tho
rough moral training. therefore insti-
tutes are OF inestimable value to them
as teachers. because the principles un-
derlying these institutes are normal in
their scope. covering as they do much
Of the work performed in these schools.
In our sister town of New Iberia, they
have an able corps Of teachers. who are
1t seems ever ready to grasp at any
thing that may help them to advance
their pupils. A" Teachers Institute" is
held Oh the FIRST Saturday Of every
month. when all teachers are expected
to be present unless very reasonable
and plausible excuse for On-atteDdance
is offered otherwise the delinquent OI
delinquents forfeit days pay | think
Thus. you see their attendance is made
compulsory, In fact 1t is made part Of
the teachers contract with the Board ol
School Directors. At first such string
ent measures were thought necessary Il
secure the attendance of teachers. the,
not knowing how essential it would bt
to them in their work. Now that they
understand that much Of their efflcien
cy as instructors is due to these insti
tutes they (teachers) look forward to tn,
first Saturday OF the month with keel
and lively interest. write from actua
! experience being at the time of the or.
ganizatiOn Of the Parrish Teachers In
stitbte" teacher in one Of the public
schools. Of that parish. Right here il
our parish you have all the intellectual
materials If l am permitted to use til,
, expression-for the organization of sucl
an institute. why not create health.
public opinion In its favor? Let tn
question be agitated by those most to b.
benefited by 1t. and ere long we will b,
, able to boast of Monthly Teachers In.
stituts" also hoping this may be of in
est to the many readers Of your valua
BILE paper, subscribe myself.
Your most 0bidient servant
. P.F.
More AnOu.