Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-02-01
pEEIS TEACHERS.

A. announced last week In the columns
Of the Democrat the Paris teachers met
on saturday, Jan. 29ih.
Although the mercury ran down in
some places on saturday morning To 81
below zero. the frosty air did not lessen
their enthusiasm. company OF be
tween thirty-iive and forty gathered, In
GLIDING more than two-thirds Of the
teachers employed 10 the Paris schools
this winter. Some lively discussions fol
lowed. \ few had been assigned par
ticular topics in advance.
Miss Addie T.. ireland introduced the
topic relating 20 punishment As the re-
suit of some particular oHense.
Miss Nellie Marshall thought the read
ing aloud OF some standard fiction by the
teacher might form part Of the regular
school work. She would sgree that the
fiction should be carefully selected and
read with a definite aim in view.
Miss Childs read Il carefully prepared
and interesting paper on the foliowing
subject: should pupils be allowed to
assist Que another 10 their work:
Miss Hutchinson dwelt upon the ad-
visibility OF requiring pupils 10 correct
one another's work.
Miss Dean WAS in favor of allowing
pupils 20 leave their desks al will 10 con-
suit the dictionary, etc.
Mrs Pike told how she would teach
mental arithmetic.
At this point some questions relating
10 discipline In primary schools were
asked and answered BY four OF the
primary school teachers present.
Then followed an animated debSte on
rhe question Of written tests.
!. 4. Lambe Of the school committee
explained the advantages OF written
tests and gave his views as TO the best
manner Of conducting them.
Prof. j. VI. Pike Of Paris Hill Acad-
emy set forth the Disadvantages. He
made out strong case.
Prin l.. Z. Gerrish, Rev. |. \. Bean,
Miss Crooker. Mrs. Ordway, and Others
were drawn into the discussion.
The teachers voted 70 hold the next
meeting on Feb. 10. and appointed the
following committee on programme
Eva Ordwav. Nellie Marshall. Berths
Twitchell, Hattie Leach. Addie Ireland,
and l. Z. Gerrish.
There i desire among the teschers
/ for more professional literature and AT
this meeting preliminary arrangements
we're made 20 organize clubs 10 subscribe
/ for some school journals and magazines.
This move, il successful, must stimu-
/ late them TO better work In the school
room. and argue well for the schools.
IL Is With pleasure that note the In
! terest and enthusiasm slresdy manifest
Three. and think five, Paris teachers
have secured state teachers certificate:
/ during the past year.
Few towns have a. many teachers
already certiticated bv the state a. this
/ More might have won the prize IL they
had tried for il.
Counting Paris HUI Academy we have
TWENTY-FIVE teachers actively engaged IL
our public schools this winter. As {
class they are faithful, efficient, and full
lv conscious Of their responsibility.
Whist a mighty force IL all parents
would only say, as many do, wher
trouble arises between teachers anC
pupil, that the teacher is right ninety
nine times out OF q hundred, how much
more might be accomplished. Muci
harm ia done sometimes by magnifyins
a teachers faults. Our school populs
ton is rapidly increasing. The uumoe
OF scholars reported April /, 1897, wa
So. while the year before only sl1 wer'
reported. The gain wss about pc
cent ia one year.
HENRY FLETCHER.