The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-02-02
TEACHERS INSTITUTE.
Profitable and Interesting Meeting
of County Educators
in ElktOn.
Exchange of Views and Opinions Upon
Educational Work, and Methods
of Conducting 1t.


Teachers Institute in Odd Fellows hall, Elk
ton, was an occasion OF much interest and
one productive of material good. At each
one of the three daily sessions, instructive
programs We're carried out. The practical
questions pertaining to the schools and their
advancement We're freely discussed, very
excellent papers being read treating these
various subjects.
The citizens of the town extended the
teachers the hospitality of their homes and
their guests will return well pleased with
their entertainment in the county capital.
The pubic was cordially invited and made
welcome at each meeting the evening ses-
sions especially drawing good audiences at
which forcible addresses were made along
educational lines.
The Institute has aroused interest in the
county schools and is another step toward
their improvement. The teachers in this
assemblage are recognized as IA body OF
earnest and intelligent workers and at once
command the public's respect and support.
Prof. L. b. Fockler, of North East, was
selected as secretary.
Idytl WIS oll'Iel ny llt htN. l. IL. WOOD,
pastor Of the Elkton NJ. L. Church.
At the opening session ut ten o'clock Oh
Wednesday morning, the following happy
address of welcome was delivered by County
School Examiner George Bidde:
1t is with great pleasure that | greet you,
teachers of Cecil county and friends of edu-
cation, in assembling here to-day for a
twelve years.
| trust hope and believe that it will prove
profitable, happy and joyous. A programme
has been prepared that promises much. An
interchange OF opinion and methods must DO
good. Perhaps one Of the most thorough
courses in pedagogy would be visit to each
school in the county; to note how things are
done, why so managed, and to observe the
result, often as much good may follow the
analysis of II failure as success. Many of
you are the equal of any in our land, each
one can succeed if you will start with deter
mined will Of ranking among the very best.
There is no reason why any teachers, if they
will but study. should not hold n first grade
certificate ere they have taught five years.
This result will not follow if all Of your
thoughts are given to the bcauX and bellies
Teaching requires rs much thought study,
hard work as any other profession and that
work must be given after school hours as well
as IN the school room.
Many changes havs taken place in our
schools during the past twenty-five years
At that time we were encumbered with u
standing debt OF over $50, 900. For years we
have promptly paid all debts at the close OF
each term. A teacher has not been kept
waiting for his salary beyond the time
ageed upon. | wish that the salaries could
be made larger. Every increase of salary
would be an incentive to better work, and
we could retain the teachers of greatest
talent and experience. We have 95 school
houses, 80 of which belong to the county,
and are valued at sl03, 700; there are 130
teachers, and $40 scholars. The support and
government OF our schools should be purely IA
business one; political and sectarian views
should have no place in them; the official be
he commissioner, examiner or teacher, who
will permit either the one or the other to in
nuence him, even indirectly, should have no
place in them. 1t is the proud boast of our
Board, that neither one or the other have
ever had place i'll Il school in our county,
and trust that God will never permit either
to enter.
The success of our schools is something
which addresses itself to the material interest
OF every one who lives in or has a business
interest in the county. 1t appeals at once to
their civic pride as well AS their pocket book
The greatest success, the most lasting, will
crown them while conducted in II nOn-par-
tisan spirit 1t has been said that 'EducI-
tiUn in the widest sense Of the word is the
great regereratOr OF human society" To it
we owe the intellectual habits we form, the
power which the reason and the conscience
have over the will, and the strength we pos
sess to regulate the desires and to subdue the
passions. Be II your aim and object to see that
every class Of our citizens shall be brought to
participate in its benefits. and that II glad
hosanna shall raise wherever the banner OF
education Is thrown to the breeze. You have
the training of our boys and girls, the future
rulers of our land; impress your mark upon
Them and be ii moral as well as mental. Get
at the principles which underiie education.
Look to the end to which you aim. What
are your ideals2 Ask what these boys and
girls whose character you are now moulding
are to be when they have reached maturity.
viii you be proud of them? Will you ex-
claim He was my boy, ''She was my girl"?
At our last teachers examination there were
several of our scholars who did remarkably
well, and proudly did their teachers tell me,
They are my scholars Love and interest
manifesting themselves in every word and
and act Success crowns that teachers work.
Stupid pupils are generally the result OF
stupid teachers. Find something to praise;
ever incite to better work. Let there be but
one thought. the uplifting of the child. When
you teach the child to read, also teach him
what to read. When you teach him to add and
subtract, teach him to add and subtract hon
estly, to deal justly with his fellow man.
When you promote him from class to class
see that you act on the principle that credit
is given for what he is worth. No one will
detect an act of injustice quicker or
remember II longer than the child.
Above all things do not promote solely
on the basis of answers given on eX-