Middletown transcript., 1897-07-10
AS A STUDENT, A TEACHER, A
CITIZEN.

1t is pleasant news to the teachers of New
Castle county that Principal A. R. Spaid is
| to return to his school for another year.
There was greatconsternation.among pupils
teachers and friends of the A. ]. dupont
school when it was noised abroad that Mr..
Spaid would not return. The expressions
of regret which were heard on all sides from
business and professional men, showed how
generally he was known and appreciated
He has been much more than teacher,
more than school principal; he has been
public-spirited citizen. ready to give
freely and generously of his time and money
in promoting the common good of his COM
munity and State. We all remember how
he came to the front during the sessions of
the recent Constitutional Convention in ad
vocating the most advanced ideas of Edu-
cation which he embodied in the form of
an article and presented first to a meeting
of representative citizens for discussion and
consideration and afterwards appeared be-
fore the convention in person and in an elo-
quent address urged that Delaware should
be assured strong public school system.
While all that was asked was not obtain
ed yet we see in the article as it stands many
of the ideas Mr.. Spaid worked for. This
work was done "out of school hours when
many teachers would have thought they
had not time for extra duties His school
duties were never better done than during
these days when he was pushing his work
OF educational reform for Delaware.
1t is marked fact that the man or wo-
man who takes time and energy to reach
out beyond the horizon of his daily duties
to interest himself in making others hap
pier and better becomes broader man, a
person of wider sympathies and of greater
usefulness.
Mr.. Spaid is known in New Castle County
as teacher, leader in educational circles,
and and a public-spirited citizen. Why
may not other teachers initiate his example,
put more energy into their work, begin
right in the district when they open school
in September. make themselves known and
respected for their good work? Will it not
payR. Try it.
We had the pleasure of attending the
commencement exercises at the dupont
School and were impressed with what we
saw and heard There was q fine exhibit
Of all departments in drawing and compo-
sition. It all showed a marked improve
ment over previous years and is fine ex-
ample of what systematic work will do.
This will make fine exhibit for the Insti-
tute in the autumn and we hope the teachers
of the county will give it careful exam-
ination. We listened to the three excellent
papers presented in manly style by the three
graduates. Mr.. Spaid has along maintained
the principle that nothing is too good to be
triedfor by an ambitious American bov
and he has instilled into.his pupils an ambi.
ton to go as far as they can with their educa-
ton even through college course. 1t is pro-
bable that one or more of his graduates of
this year viii go to college at Newark in the
autumn. This ambition to 20 to college
every teacher should encourage and culfi-
Vlte.
Mr.. Spaid is himself an example of what
perse vreance and pluck will do for q how.
He worked his way through two colleges
working and waiting until he achieved his
purpose. OF course his boys and pirIs adj
mire him and try TO initiate him.
We congratulate them that they will have
Mr.. Spaid for their principal next year.
am sure we but speak the sentiment Of
every teacher OF the State when we extend
to Mr. spaid our congratulations for his |
success,
4 TEACHER.