River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-04-02
BADGER PEDAGOCUES.
FIFTH ANNUAL SESSION
n. NJ. Wis. Teachers Association
An Enthusiastic and Profitable Meeting
Held in This City.
Many Able Papers Read and Discussed.

Many Able Papers Read and Discussed.
The Northwestern Wisconsin
Teachers Association opened its fifth
annual session in the Normal Chapel
Monday evening. Long before the
meeting was called to order the hall
was packed with visiting teachers,
students and townspeople. There
was hardly standing room for late
corners. Fully 500 people were in
attendance and it was evident to the
officers of the association that no
mistake had been made in holding
this session in River Falls.
Prof Brier called the association to
order at the request of Pres. Brainerd.
and the session then opened with
music by quartet of Normal students
Mayor Ballard in his official capacity
then welcomed the association to
River Falls in a few happily chosen
words. expressing his high apprecia-
tion of teachers and their profess
sion. Pres. Brainerd responded in
behalf of the association in a
characteristic manner, recalling
memories of old associations here as a
student and expressing the pleasure
of the teachers and old time students
at renewing old acquaintance and at
the warmth of the greeting the
teachers received from the citizens.
Miss Anna Dodge followed with a
solo, which was unfortunately broken
off because of some loss of sheet
music. She then with admirable self
possession sang another song in her
usual charming manner.
Prin. G.. L. Bowman of Superior
then read a selection entitled How
Ruby Played" which was warmly
applauded by the audience.
Charles Sellers solo was rendered
by him with excellent effect and was
one of the most pleasing pieces of
music of the evening.
Other solos by Mrs. Thatcher of the
Normal School and by Mr.. Hamilton
of Spooner were very well received by
the audience. The quartets and the
trio helped greatly to add to the
pleasure of the evening The
Delsarte exercise by young ladies Of
the Normal School formed very
pleasing and fitting closing to pro-
gram designed solely to entertain.
The meeting then became informal
and everybody seemed glad of the OPP
portunity to renew old acquaintance.
TUESDAY FORENOON, MAR. 81.
In spite of rain and snow, the
Normal chapel was crowded by the
time the association was called to
order by Pres. Brainerd. After the
appointment of various committees
the first paper on the program was
called for viz. Ideals and Literature
for Teachers. Supt. w. ii. Elson,
Superior. He said teaching is spir-
itual process. Spiritual ideals must
be embodied in the teacher in order
that they shall be established in the
soul of the child Tie teacher is the
most important agency in the school
in forming the character of pupils.
But literature is also an important
agency in forming the character of
the teacher and furnishing him with
spiritual ideals. Without high
spiritual ideals the teacher cannot
surely elevate the character of the
pupil.
Discussion of The paper was opened
by Prof. w. j. Brier of River Falls.
Prof. Brier expressed his hearty
sympathy with all that the speaker
had said. He divided literature into
literature of fact and literature of
truth and feeling. The literature,
representative of truth and feeling, is
most effective in developing and
elevating the spiritual ideals of
teachers. Therefore, teachers should
distinguish clearly between mere
printed matter and real literature.
Time is an essential element in de-
termining what is true and valuable
literature. He would have the
teacher read the great masterpieces
that were written in former centuries
The discussion was further carried on
by Prin. Billie of Alma, Prin. Foster
o. ~hell Lake. F. A. Hutchins OF
Baraboo, and others.
The topic 1.-THE Superintendent's
Work" was presented by Supt. Barton
of Chippewa Falls, Supt. W. W. Jones
of Washburn, and Supt. Williams Of
Douglas Co. Supt. Barton said the
work of city superintendent is varied
and burdensome. He is the execu
tive officer of the school board. He
star Is between the teacher and con-
! nGaity. between the pupil and com'
| nunity, between the board aud the
universe. The system - choosing
the city superintendent by city
election as in this state is wrong. HI
should be chosen by the board. The
superintendent should not be made q
mere clerk of the board. His most
valuable services should be directed
toward directing and assisting the
teachers. He should be among hi
schools, visiting them, inspiring boil
pupils and teachers. His paper was ;
good one.
Supt. Jones presented the work Of
a graded school superintendent. III,
said that he superintends a TERRITORY
1 - o4.ss.,,,. 10 ,,flas or eight town shi ms