The Wadsworth dispatch. [volume] (Wadsworth, Nev.) 1892-1899, 1896-03-18
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

The editor Of the DISPATCH took day
last week to visit the public schools of
Reno with A. G. Bragg OF the Gazette.
We found Principal John Edwards
Bray in his recitation room with the class
in geometry before him. The members
of the class demonstrated number of
theorems, not included in the lesson OF
the day, with an ease and aptitude that
were astonishing. Questions by us
brought out the fact that Professor
Bray's methods have produced these
highly satisfactory results. The princi-
pal object OF the study of geometry in
the public schools is to develop the
thinking and reasoning powers of the
students. This he has accomplished by
requiring original demonstrations and
practical problems. We never saw
class in geometry work so rapidly, so
satisfactorily, and with SO little embar-
rassment in the presence OF visitors.
We next visited Miss Summerfeld's
room, the teacher being engaged in hear
ing class in Latin. The young people
are doing good work and the teacher is
earnest, painstaking and thorough, in
her methods. That class will be prof.
cient and do credit to the teacher.
We next enjoyed half hour with
Miss Shorts pupils, who were reciting
history. We found the class knew
the days lesson thoroughly and were
well informed in regard to current events
and posted as to the manner in which
news is gathered. Our sympathy for
Mr.. Bragg was genuine when one inde-
pendent thinker among the pupils ques-
toned the reliability OF the Associated
Press dispatches. AS teacher Miss
Short has few superiors, she is very
bright woman and will reach the top
round OF the ladder in her profession.
Miss Linehan's s class had their readers
in their hands and they are rapidly mas
tering the principles OF reading. All
questions about the lessons were answer
ed Immediately. They read well because
the understand what they read. If any
of the pupils fail to bepromoted it will be
on account Of absence from school. The
teacher is doing thorough work.
The next thing we have a very dis
tinct remembrance Of was a wish to
have the power turn Time back in his
fight so we could go to school to Miss
| Snow. We scanned the face OF each tiny
tot in the room and found without ex-
ception such brightness and animation,
such interest and enthusiasm, as to give
to each the acme of childish loveliness.
The little ones are miniature represent
ations of the teacher who is the perfec-
ton of grace and refinement.
We have known Miss Henry for a
number OF years and know her to be a
very successful teacher. The children
were ready for dismissal and gave the
"Salute to the Flag" in a manner to
make patriotic American feel proud OF
them.
Miss Loder is natural teacher and
her pupils were reciting geography. She
turned the class over to the writer who
was SO interested he forgot everything
but the children until Mr.. Bragg dragged
him away. He had to hire tailor after
wards to repair the damages caused by
the dragging process.
Mrs. Doten was engaged in hearing
class in literature recite. Mrs Doten has
no superior as teacher, in this State,
and for MANY years her work has COM
manded the attention of our educators.
Reno has a prize in her.
Principal Bray is progressive. The
progress of the Reno schools is apparent
in many ways. He is practical and that
commends him to the educator. Gradu-
ates under his tutorship will be more
human being than parrot, and help
instead of hindrance in the industrial
world. He is observant and reaps the
benefit of observance by adopting any
improvement. He is a student and de-
votes his thought, his talent and his
best effort to the Reno schools. AS he
advances so do they. He is fully abreast
of the times in pedagogics and stays
there by mental application. 1t is ques-
tionable if the schools of Reno are not
on equal footing with the metropolitan
schools of the United States.
There were rooms we could not visit
on account of lack OF time, yet we spent
five hours in the building. When oppor-
tunity affords the writer will visit the
deDartnents in charge of Mrs. Booth,