Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1895-01-17
TEACHERS MEETINGS
PLEA FOR BETTER OR0ANiZA.
TON AND MORE ACTIVITY.
Work of the SchOOl-ROom IL Greatly
Unified, Simplined and Intensified
by Good Teachers Gatherings-In-
~structiOn in Manual Training.


1t would be an interesting compila-
ton II all the experiences Of Iowa
teachers in local association meetings
were put together for the professional
TO read, writes n who signs himself
The Village Schoolmaster'' in the Iowa
Normal Monthly. There would be the
tale OF the ambitious organization
which opened a winters work with
full-fiedsed constitution and bylaws
and a set OF offices that made provision
for a place for every one who was eligi-
Bile to membership. There would be,
also, the tale of the organization that
was so free and easy, with no formal
inauguration, no set time or place for
meetings, and no heavy system of any
kind to induce formality and death.
The recital would include that associa-
ton where every member was SO anx-
ious to do that nothing was accom-
plished; and the association, too, where
everyone was anxious to throw the la
Dor and responsibility on the shoulders
of some one else.
Out of all the confusion of aim and
means, which these efforts have discov-
cred, much good has come. Tho work
of the school DON in many commune
ties has been greatly unified, simplified
and intensified because Of these occa-
sional teachers gatherings. The young
teacher has been many times enlight-
ened, and her daily duties made plain
er. The experienced teacher has often
been taught that her long-used methods
and devices are not the best. And in
many other ways good has been accom-
plished. But
The word is used advisedly. The
teachers of Iowa are often referred to
in complimentary terms. The low per
cent. Of ~illiteracy in the State is often
held up, and the men and women
through whose efforts this condition Of
affairs has been reached and retained
are lauded as beings of high intelli-
gence and great devotion to their work.
Yet, in comparatively few localities has
this boosted intelligence or this much
lauded devotion been able to success
fully exert itself in ..le line of effective
association in teachers organizations.
Who is not familiar with the ordinary
routine of such meetings? The chair
man, always an earnest and enthusiast
tic teacher, calls the meeting to order.
If any business is to be done it drags,
two or three making all the motions
and doing all the voting. The papers
prepared for the occasion, or the ad-
dresses less formally introducing a sub
ject for discussion, are given one by one
for the consideration of those present.
The question is thrown open for gen
eral remarks. And the clock ticks.
Perhaps, ashamed of the lack Of inter
est. or knowledge shown by the great
majority of the membership, som bold
er spirit ventures a review OF the intro
duction of the subject; but even this
breaking of the educational ice does
not embolden the mass. And again
the clock ticks. Another and another
| subject is introduced with the same re-
| suit. And the clock ticks an adjourn
ment.
The ambitious. active teacher, who
sees the possibility of advancement in
n live local educational meeting, be-
comes disguised. She does not care
| care whether she attends any more of
| the dead ones or not, and is glad to find
an excuse to stay away. The teacher
who is really so timid, or so ignorant
of the right view-or a right view-ot
the topic under discussion, that she can.
not properly express herself in a public
l rntln,in~ finds ,,n apnn,,, .o rn,,nr% ~,
help in such Il dead meeting. and is
therefore not so strongly drawn to at
tend another.
Will anyone claim the situation has
been overdrawn? Let him speak. In
truth, the story has not been half told
Teachers within walking distances OF
many such advertised meetings very
often pass the place of meeting on theil
| way to town, to visit some friend or to
60 somewhere else. Is there not a large
number Of teachers in every county
| who are never seen at the educational
| gathering except under c%ompulsion
| What is the a for all this? LIE,
someone tell. Is there not a large mum
| Der, also, whose voices are never heari
In such places, even though they may
often attend? They always decline t.
prepare a paper or lead a discussion
when asked to do so by those who ar
range the program. They are not sur.
they will be present; or they do no
know anything about the subject; OF
they are too busy; or their health Il
not good. No trouble to find excuse,
when one doesn't want to do a thing
And yet these very people can find tn,
most fault with those who do take part
can present, in many instances, rs goo,
a discussion-in some cases a better on
than that to which they listened. I
anyone al explain the reason, tn
writer would like to learn it.
This article is written, not to fin,
fault, but to suggest q discussion tina
may result In opening the eyes Of tn
class or classes of teachers referred tt
If these silent creatures can be brough
to see how they are standing in tn
way Of their own advancement as we
as in that of their fellow teachers, til
educational world will be given n d.
cided impetus toward greater a~ctivit,
a better, higher and more professions
life In the great mass Of its members.
peripatetic Pedagogy.
L EH IN ~ a. -~.A1H 1~~~~~yrN -