The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-12-31

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moro than e4sht or nine districts In th'
county, the whole matter OF local taxes foi
the county could be settled In q very shor
time and greatiy to the interest OF the pub
lie schools IN the respective counties
Hence would advocate the recognition
| Of Justice precincts as local school districts
IN this State and any other divisions o.
the county for school purposes should be
| made from Year to year b. the county
hoard OF education to meet existing ccadi-
tons
| Teachers After discussing briefly the
support and equalization Of the public
schools we come naturally to consider the
persons who are 10 do the work in the
schools, the persons norS than all others
upon whom the responsibility OF success or
failure In the school work depends
teachers. The creates; need OF the public
schools In Texas today is competent. ef-
fieient and Interested teachers. This is
especially true In the country schools.
The conditions there are not such as 10
attract the most competent and besi
equipped teachers they seek einvioymen;
IL the villages. cities and towns, whore the
conditions are more favorable to perna-
bout employment at better compensation
and with work more systematically ar
ranged. How are the country schools 10
obtain competent teachers. which they -
much need? Our means Of supplying are
four fold.
!. From recruits from other States.
?. From students Of the university.
5. From students OF our normal schools.
:. From our Institutes
This division Of the sources from which
teachers are TO be obtained naturally raises
the question; shall We ask qualified teach
ers who have h~er prepared FOR their work
in other States 10 come 10 Texas and take
the h :. TaNefffnrs in Schools ~ eN afl
We prepare al the university. at our nor
NAL schools. and in our institutes our own
competent young people Tor these places
While ! am not ready 70 shut she door
on the worthy teacher who comes to Texas
10 Join with US In the great work OF edu-
cation. Il is clear 10 my mind that the
most imperative duty devoiyins upon US
Is for our young men and young women to
aspire TO touch the very highest and best
points Of professional culture that We can
possibly offer them. The State University
should have its school Of pedagogy with It's !
Competent corps Of Instructors with all
necessary equipments and appliances and
with an interest In popular education and
IN enthusiasm COMMENSURATE with the !
'reat work which tho university may do in ,
his direction. ! am pleased to know that |
he president Of the University OF Texas is /
hoiouEhly II favor Of the organization OF a !
armament and efficient department OF |
'edagcsy in the Uniyersiiy OF Texas and |
lope the dag Is not far distant when such l
department win have its doors wide open |
o Young men and young women OF this |
tate. who are ihirstng for the advantages |
I sucn course. in order that they may |
fectively perform thoir duties as teachers |
n the sch ools OF our State
cur normal school at Huntsville for /
White teachers, and our normal school al /
'r@irie View Tor colore1 teachers have done |
Teat good IN equipp!ns young men and .
"a FF.u- IL la.
{ this State. and while they have ,.lt been
bic Ia meet the demands for competent
nd well equipped teachers. they have done
reai good and 1t is to be hoped that IN
lie near future the legislature will take
UGH steps as will enable these Institutes
o DO more work of this kind and that we
III soon have sufficient number OF nor
lal schools to give our young men and
Dung women who are anxious 10 be quail
Cd 10 30 the work OF teaching an oppor- |
unit 20 qualify themselves for this work
The only means OF professional improve.
tent thar We can offer to the teachers al
aady In the maid il found in our Institutes |
he law Of this State requires each county
~ rinterdent N have held three insti-
Ties Of nj least TWO days each In his COUNTY
tch year. II requires the State supeYin-
'Dden' to have organized summer normal
stitules and i requires the teachers
lroughout the STATE TO attend these in
flutes. And while all of the teachers
ave not complied with this requirement
! the pust. II is gratifying to know thous-
1ds Of them have done so and that the
'hools have been greatly Improved Trough
20 work done in our institutes. Most OF
ar county institute work has gone from
10 old teachers association idea to real
lstltuie work and has begun to accom-
ish the good that is within the relch Of
very rural institute. and | hope that this
ORR VIII continue until every county In
lc state Will sustain an active teachers
stitute for three or more sessions each
lar.
The summer institute work of this State.
lLlIlinp Tho n.l.,.I. ~ ~. -. III .-.-.L