The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1895-02-27

LSVS uOTS. however,, III IOFuluS lHdH III
reforming" 4" We should endeavor to so |
direct our charges that when they arrive at
manhood and womanhood characters will be |
developed which will not need the pain of
reformation" He said an impression seems
to prevail that these meetings are largely in
the interest of graded schools. He wished
to correct that impression. Every class of
teachers in the county should feel perfectly
tree and welcome to participate in these
sessions. He closed his address by thanking
the association for the honor conferred upon
him in electing him President of the Society
Miss Anna Carts, teacher in the West
Main st. school of this place, conducted
an interesting class exercise, evidencing ef-
fcient training of the children.
7. D. Douthitt, Sup't of the Rootstown
| schools, gave useful talk on teaching as
profession" He said it was a profession
and should be made life work He said, a
free government cannot stand without a per-
feet system of public schools. He thought
it deplorable that IA year old children should
be urged to attempt country school teaching.
Among other things it had baneful effect
upon the wages of the professional teacher,
1
the effects upon the pupils are considered.
The teacher has nearly as much influence
bearing on the future character of the child
as the parents. The State, he said, should
maintain system of Normal Schools. The
Boards of Education could do much to rem
edy the present condition of affairs. "When
your scholars have reached maturity let
them say, my teacher pointed out to me the
straight and narrow road to success"
| F. A. Merrill, Sup't of Ravenna schools,
said teachers should know more than they
assume to teach, He said private institutions
in Ohio have such hold on the legislature
that nothing but general uprising on the
part of the teachers would ever realize the
desired support of Normal schools.
E. o. Trescott, Principal of the Kent High
School, read a valuable paper on "The
Teacher out of School," He said, short hours,
easy work and big pay, was the popular esti-
mate of the life of a teacher. He presented,
however, very different picture of the
labor and assiduous application necessary to
successful, conscientious teaching. "It is
wise man who takes his profession with him
as he journeys home" He said the thorough
| tCeeS1O1 A41uSL uuuSESlduu nuuldD Nature anu
have a comprehensive knowledge of the
affairs of state. While teachers have no
time for frivolous society, free commingling
with men and women of culture and refine.
ment is beneficial.
"Music in District Schools" was very
ably handled by Prof. Jaeger, of Windham
| He urged the equal necessity of country
vocal instruction with that of town and city,
| and thought the time was coming when all
teachers will be obliged to pass an examina-
| ton in music. He said the one great aim of
education was to generate power, and in de-
veloping power and mental ability music
has no equal. "Music is the language of the
| SOUL"
Miss Alice Seymour read apaper on "Sup-
Elementary Reading in Country Schools"
prepared by Mrs. G. R. Percival. of Charles
town. The writer thought such reading was
needful, although it meets with many pro.
| found objections But such reading does
away with many schoolroom ills, and while
the libraries of the graded schools give ample
| opportunity for such reading, in the COUNT v
the establishing and maintaining of suc'n a
| library is very different matter, She de-
| tailed plan successfully carried out in her
community, and urged more active, earnest
work in this direction.
Miss Minnie Hall, of Charlestown, con-
tributed some excellent thoughts on sFound-
alton Stones" She said the importance of
the teachers vocation can hardly be exag-
Grated. "The child should be taught that
| reading is thinking. Good readers are good
students. Many child goes to school be-
cause the law compels him to do so. If the
tea cher can develop taste for good reading
among such pupils foundation will be laid.
She said the evil effects of narcotics were
taught in four states by virtue of legal en-
actments, thereby laying foundation that it
would be difficult for liquor dealers to under
mine in after life.
This was followed by discussion of the
Bnxwell School law, opened by Sup't North
rop, of Garrettsville. He said, the. law COM
pels each County Examining Board to hold
examinations on the first Saturdays in March
April and May. The successful aspirants
have the privilege of entering any High
School in the county. The law read ssThe
tuition NAY be paid by the township Board
of Education" No other State has laws SO
liberal as this one in favor of the young
people. Each township knows its own own
financial condition best. He thought the
idea good one. 1t should be made sys- |
tematic affair ir each township. Sup't Mer-
rill said the law had been amended. Pupils |
from an adjoining county ma avail them. |
selves OF the privileges of a high school in |
another county. Mandatory payment of |
tuition would have killed the practicabilitv |
of the law. There are not high schools |
enough to accommodate all who would applv
He favored township commencements, say
ing they couid be made as interesting as
those of the village High School.
President Stutzman also heartily favored
the law and the suggestions made He said
the Franklin board of education decided to
pay tuition of those holding diplomas, and
very satisfactory results had followed He
thought the law elevated the country school.
Theory and Practice questions at County
examinations will be based on Whites
School Management" the balance of this