Birmingham state herald., 1896-11-03
TEACHERS INSTITUTE.
Interesting Report of the Session of Iron
 dale Concluded Saturday.

Interesting Report of the Session of Iron
 dale Concluded Saturday.
 IrondaIe Nov 2.-(Special.)-A very pleasant and successful session of the Jeff ferson county institute for white teachers has just closed it's 1abors here. The sub jects were discussed with energy, fresh ness and spirit by the teachers and listen- ed to with marked and unflagging inter est by the people who attended the in stitute throughout it's session on nearly three days.
 The institute passed three important resolutions. The first formed the adop- tion and operation of district institutes to be held in various portions of the coun- ty as auxiliaries of the Jefferson county institute, which is usually held three times year. The second resolution re- quested the members of the legislature from Jefferson county to use their in fluence to secure such changes in our school law, organic and statutory, as would render our public school system effective In the work of popular education and indorsed the objects and purposes indicated by the last state associa ton in the appointment of a committee consist ing of Dr. J. H. Phillips, principal; J. B. Cunningham and others whose especial work should be to urge upon the next leg islature the necessity of important changes in our organic school law looking to better distribution of public funds, more thorough system of examinations and higher ideal in the public school teacher. The critics report was read, adopted and ordered to be published. The report is a resume of the work of the in- stitute.
 CRITICS REPORT.
 Upon our arrival at Irondale we were warmly and heartily welcomed by Prof. Ietson Prof Stamps and MT. Barnett. l4cfr Ii1I Nrfe ffh NnIf l- us feel at home at once and we took our places by the fresides and at the tables of Irondale with a feeling of comfort and good cheer that has rendered our work inspiring and refreshing throughout the institute. The welcome was pleasantly and earnestly responded to by Supt Mo- Ador and Principal Roof.
 How to build up a school in a small town was discussed in its various bear ings and was shown to contain many of the kernels of the common school ques- ton. A skilful teacher working through the people seemed to be the real power of successful school. The institute was refreshed and relaxed at intervals by music directed and lead by Miss Stamps
 How to Make the County Institute Practicable" was shown to consist in full attendance of the teachers, & gen eral participation in the work of the institute by all of the teachers, discus sion of good methods and the presenta- tion of practical work, illustrating the conduct of the model school room.
 District institutes seemed to meet the approval of the mind of the county insti- ute. Exchange of experiences among teachers was commended. Best meth- ods in United States history were proved to consist in the presentation of the sub ject In an order adapted to the age and development of the growing mind.
 The principles of obedience, honesty ahpnaVnlenpn f,,Iy discussed and shown to consist in the ob- servance and cultivation of the great underlying principles of human nature.
 The remedies for undue ruthlessness were found to be applied by the removal of physical discomfort and the provision of constant mental occupation.
 The daily programme for an ungraded school should be characterized by vari- ety, alternation of the subjects of study and recitation and reasonable recreation.
 The proper method of teaching Eng fish composition is to furnish an orderly method of procedure, specimen of ap- propriate form and then to allow free ac- tion of the undivided mind, taking care to suggest subjects adapted to the compo- sition and experience of the learner.
 The task assigned to the common school is to furnish sound and correct training intellectual, physical and moral for the children of the community, to prepare the child for effective action and useful cit izenship.
 The constitutional status of Alabama in It's restrictions upon the free move ment of public education and the neces- sary remedies therefor by amendments, statutory and organic, so as to bring about concentration of funds upon a smaller number of schools and a more thorough equalization of the generality of teachers for their work. was strongly presented.
 An excellent system of works full of va riety and interest and mental inspiration to the children was set forth for the con- sideration and adaptation of the teachers of the institute
 After the transaction of the usual busi- ness the institute adjourned on Saturday at 12 M. to meet again about mid winter upon call of the executive committee.
 Better educational facilities, free silver and Bryan for the presidency Is the earn est desire of this section of the county.
 A. B. c.