The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-10-13
ANNUAL INSTITUTE
OF THE TEACHERS
Began Yesterday Afternoon 10 Y. N. c.
A. Hall.
NEARLY ALL WERE ENROLLED
Prof. Cogswen Opened the Session
by Leading the Teachers in Song.
Talk ON Geography by Prof. Red.
way..Dr. Mora l.. Pratt ON Child
Study..Suggestions Made by Super.
intendent Taylor in His Remarks.

There was a big gathering Of the
public school teachers of Lackawanna
county, from outside Of the city of
Scranton, in Y. NJ. c. A. hall at
o'clock yesterday afternoon, when their
annual institute was called to order by
County Superintendent Taylor. Though
the rain fell heavily and continuously
and the day was about as dreary as
could be imagined. only a few of the
teachers failed to attend the opening
session, thereby showing an earnest
ness In their work that was very graft
flying to County Superintendent Taylor.
That the young women are not only
jealous in their chosen profession. but
true daughters OF Eve was demon
strated by the many dainty creations
of the milliner's art that ornamented
the domes Of thought of those to whom
the education Of the future men and
women of the county Is entrusted.
In the morning the teachers who ar
rived were enrolled by the committee
and at 2 o'clock, the time for the con-
vening Of the first session, nearly all
of that work had been done. The in
stitute opened with song, led by Pro-
fessor II. b. Cogswell. formerly of this
city, who is now director of music i'm
Mansfield State Normal school. After
the professor was introduced to the
teachers by Superintendent Taylor, he
said it was u pleasure to again have
the privilege of addressing an institute
of Lackawanna county teachers. He
had q message to convey to the teach
ers while the institute is in session and
he hoped they would respond to his cf-
fortA for if they were to receive any
benefit from his labors their interest
in his work must be as genuine as his.
He then led the teachers in singing
MY Country. 'Tis Of Thee" and three
other selections.
He told the teachers to put heart into
their singing and realize the meaning
of the words they utter. The singer
who only throws part of himself into
his singing only chinks, expression
sympathy, effect, all are lost. There
are too many singers in this country
who only chink, Professor Cogswell
declared. but he earnestly hoped there
would be none Of that class in the in
Stitute.
SUPERINTENDENT REMARKS.
In his opening address to the teach
ers Superintendent Taylor said that i.
was impossible to hold the sessions in
the court house on account of the re-
pairs being made there and as the place
for holding it had to be changed he
thought it advisable to hold it earlier
in the term than heretofore. He believes
that it is best to hold Institutes as
early in the term as possible The course
OF study for the year will be the same
as last year, he said. An effort is being
made to have state course of study
but 1t has not yet been prepared. At the
last meeting of the state association a
committee of five county superinten-
dents, of which the speaker is a men,
hn, int IN e.tp 70
course. Until 1t is ready the coures here
tofore followed will be used. Where
boards have prescribed special course
of study, however, he has no objections
to its use.
Mr.. Taylor then dwelt upon the nee
essity of keeping school rooms clean
and well ventilated and expressed the
hope that the teachers will continue the
commendable interest they have shown
in the beautifying Of school grounds. A
few of the school yards Of the county,
the superintendent described as dis
graceful. He closed by urging teachers
to impress upon pupils who want to
take the teachers examinations the
necessity of making better preparation
for it. Many take the examinations
when they are too young. 1t would be
better for the interests of education
and for all concerned if those who are
fitting themselves for the profession Of
teaching would take q course in nor
NAL school or high school and better
fit themselves for the work than they
can in the district schools. He advised
the teachers to pay greater attention
to grammar and arithmetic in prepar-
ing for their annual examinations as
these are the studies the majority of
them get the lowest marks in. With ref
erence to the district institutes the su-
perintendent said that he had appoint
ed new committees to take charge Of
them and hoped to see them take up
the work earnestly and carry II out in
a way that will produce the greatest
amount of good.
TALK ON GEOGRAPHY,