The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-12-05
TEACHERS INSTITUTE.
PROFITABLE GATHERING OF THE
COUNTY EDUCATORS IN ELKTON
Interesting Papers and the Exchange OF
Ideas as to the Best System of
Teaching.

Elkton, on Wednesday morning to attend the
three days session of the Third Annua! Insti-
tute they found all Elkton ready to extend
them a hearty welcome.
The weather too was Just of the right kind.
Bright, cool and eXhilarating it gave a spice
to the occasion and raised the spirits of the
teachers everything appeared at its
best But the weather was neither brighter
nor more attractive than the proceedings of
the institute The morning, afternoon and
evening programs were admirable and it can
be truthfully said that each year these gath
erings of the county educators are growing
better and better.
The morning session at ten o'clock and the
afternoon session at two were devoted to
"work"-the mutual improvement of all and
the exchange of practical ideas-there being
addresses and lectures by prominent educa-
tors both from the county and State. In the
evening the program took on the form of
"rest" and diversion and there were pleasing
entertainments of a musical and literary
order.
The public took much interest in. ana
generally attended the sessions, especially in
the evenings when the hall was taxed to its
utmost capacity.
The State Normal School was represented
by number of speakers, whose experience
allowed them to make good suggestions to
their fellow workers in Cecil. Principal L.
B. Prettyman. of the Normal School in an
address at the afternoon session took an
attractive and profitable subject when he
referred to 'Teaching as a Profession" en-
phasizing the very important point that it is
as much the part of the teacher to study as
it is of the pupil. Teachers he said, should
pursue an advanced course of study and equip
themselves for higher and higher service.
Such Il curriculum as is now offered by the
State Normal School upon the successful
completion of which the teacher is given Il
certificate which is equivalent TO Teachers
life certificate. This course is pursued at
home and generally covers period of thre"
years, the applicant appearing at the Normal
School for examination Mr.. Prettyman's
address aroused much interest.
OPENING OF THE INSTITUTE.
Upon calling the Institute to order AZ tcM
o'clock on Wednesday morning, President,
Frank S. Everist, Of the County School
Board, was greeted by one hundred and nine
teen teachers, of which audience all but four
teen were ladies'. That is to say, the educa-
ton of the Cecil youth in the public schools
is very much in the hands OF the women. and
while not the new women, they are
nevertheless instructresses with new and
improved ideas, as to methods OF education,
Of course.
The stage proscenium was literally ies-
tooncd with the Maryland colors orange and
black. and the appearance was cheerful ami
bright.
After invocation by the Rev. John McEl-
moyle. pastor Of the Elkton Presbyterian
Church, the teachers lifted up their voices
in the chorus "Awake My Soul,' and then
each answered the roll call with quotations,
all the way from the early classics 10 modern
fiction. School Examiner George Biddle then
made the opening address. He said
Again | greet you in Il Teachers Institute.
May it be It bright and happy one. May it be
more than this, may it he profitable to YOU
as teachers and to the children entrusted 10
your care. That this may be the result, let
each one contribute Il full share socially ana
as members Of the Institute. Let your uu.ef-
mHatlon De that il shall succeed. IOU Eayc
all sought your places as teachers, all prob
ably desire to retain them, each claiming
that you are capable of filling your position.
each should not hesitate to take a full share
here; each vie with the other to make the
institute q success. The first Institute ever
held was in Tompkius county, N. u, in 1884,
Since then they have become general. IN
seven States, including our own. attendance
is compulsory. At some regular corps of
Instructors Is employed, at others ;La teach
ers conduct them. 70 me it seems that
union of the system is the better way. No
agency outside OF a regular full course Of
training can do so much FOR the right guild
aucA oi the teacher, tho sharpening OF the
understanding, the fall rounding out Of the
professional character. as the intercourse and
Corporation brought about at our Institutes.
Here Wa can discuss our successes and fail
urcs. The great need is to know what plans
have succeeded, what have failed. and tine
conditions under which success and failures
have come.
since o:r last Institute was held some
changes have taken place in our school
affairs. notably in the method OF supplying
books. The law as passed by the Legislature
dos not give sufficient money for tho pur
pose, and it behoOves you to see that the law
doe. not become Il burden to the taxpayers.
On all sides We hear the Cry Of business de.
pe.uy is wasted / have known teachers
whose children were in the lower grades. TO
order advanced grammars and higher
alg3Gras ] have known others To ask for
tWi"s as many as they needed: this should
not be. Again. some parents who have books
at home. refuse TO let them be used saying
let the county furnish them. Who ia the
county, Is it not attor all ourselves? We
must have economy we must have good care
OF the school property; indoors and out lot
neatness prevail 1t is your duty to sec that
every part OF your premises is kept in good
repair, neat and clean. Teachers. no matter
what their other qualifications may be- should
not be retained who neglect these matters.
Again. as the years roll on do you improve
i'll your methods Of teaching? You can not
give information which you d. not possess
See to it that you do not waste your oppor-
turnity; that some improvement be made each
day; that your store Of knowledge increases;
that your teaching power improves; that you
know the better how to impress that infor-
nation upon the child.
We do not want machines in our schools
who only read the question at the bottom of
the page. We want living, moving, active
beings who can impress themselves upon the
children; those who have methods and opin-
ions of their own those who can arouse tho
children. who can excite the enthusiasm to
the utmost; who can create thirst for
knowledge. Some of you have so trained