The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-08-25
County supt. J. K. Miller's Report.
Hon. NATHAN c. ScHAEFFER,
SUPT. PUBLIC INSTRUCTION,

Hon. NATHAN c. ScHAEFFER,
SUPT. PUBLIC INSTRUCTION,
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA,
DEAR SIR THE school year closed
with some signs of encouragement, al
though no great changes have taken
place. A steady growth in the cause
of education is working out new con-
ditions which will in the near future
enable this county to make decided
advance over all previous records.
Patrons are recog -.izing the fact
that to secure modern educational
methods their influence must be dir
ected towards promoting and supply
ing such special agencies as are ap-
proved by up-to-date educators. I'm
less interest is shown on the part of
the patrons, directors become negl-
gent, and either through timidity or
parsimony fail to do as their impulses
prompt them. We are confident of
liberal educational views existing
among the people of our most back
ward and unprogressive districts sur
rounded by the most unfavorable en-
vironments. All that is necessary is
carefully stated arguments, and an ex-
position of the desire and ambitions
which lie dormant in the hearts of the
majority.
Our teachers as body are in ad-
vance of last year. Experience and
training are being appreciated, but we
think that sometimes too much weight
is given by directors in selecting
teachers, to the matter of experience.
Well trained young men and women,
with qualities of mind that make them
capt to teach," are often better than
some teachers who have had years Of
experience. They come with fresh
ideas and new vigor, and directors
should remember that the best teach
ers were once without experience.
Good teachers of successful exper-
ience should always be held in their
old positions if possible, and those
without experience, who have had
good training and are in earnest should
! be given fair chance.
School committees feel the influence
of teachers prepared to meet the
cravings of their children for those
little extras not in the regular routine
of school work, but vastly important
in keeping the minds of pupils direct
ed in the proper channels. Some of
teachers, evidently think that educa-
tion is a system of grinding over and
over again the hand full of common
branches said to be the foundation of
a common school education. Not
realizing that experiences in life, our
doings and misdoings, the interming-
ling and demands of society, varied
traits of human nature, art, music and
literature together with the beauties
of nature as manifested through the
handiwork of the Creator, are the in
struments for the training of man
kind.
A course of reading was outlined
by committee appointed by the sup
erintendent at our last Institute. The
classics selected are The Vision of Sir
Launfal, The Cotter's Saturday Night,
The Sketch Book, The Deserted Viii
lage, Lambs Tales, and Hamlet. A
noticeable increased interest has been
awakened in the study of standard
literature through this movement.
Undergraduate teachers are learning
to realize that ability to tell the story
of these productions with fair accur-
acy, is quite essential.
With prospects of a longer school
term in at least five or six districts,
increased salaries, the retention of
good teachers, assistance from d:rec-
tors in the work of supervision, more
pride in the architectural appearance
of school property, and the establish.
ment of township graded schools in
several districts, we. are looking for
ward with pleasing anticipations to a
more satisfactory report next year.
Respectfully,
John K. MILLER,
County Supt.
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