The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1899-12-13
INTEREST ITNRIYALED.
Great Success of the Forty Third
Annual Session of Teachers
Institute.
MOxEY IEvOLvED-sEsEr1rs pERIvrp

work better prepares them 10 imDart
knowledge and to conduct the schools
nnder their care, and whether the results
attained Justify the outlay in dollars ana
cents which the taxpayers are required 10
contribute.
The Teachers Institute held in Somer-
set last week involved the expenditure Of
5000 in round numbers. All of the 81
teachers present received. under the law
of the Stale, the same per diem they
would have gotten had they spent the
time ip the schoolroon, an average of say
= per day for five days. aud in addition
TO this amount the County superintend-
ent is allowed by law 500 from the eoun-
~ treasury annually Tor Institute pur-
poses.
The money received from what is
known ~ the Institute Lecture Course
has nothing " haIever to do with the sums
mentioned above, and should DOT be con-
fused with them. since the lectures, or
evening entertainments, while primarily
arranged for the benefit OF the teachers
and public generally, are separate mat
ter altogether, for the success and expense
of which the County Superintendent
makes himself individually liable. Here
il might be we'll TO add that the lectures
provided for last week were not Of the
high character they should have been, in
view of the assurance of a crowded house
practically guaranteed by the success Of
former years, and when such eminent
lecturers AS General Gordon, Governor
Bob" Taylor. Rev. Dewitt Talmage,
Henry watterson. and Others we might
mention, were available. The public and
teachers who make up the audiences ex-
pect something better for their money
than second or third class sermons from
comparatively unknown platform speak
eus
The writer is firmly convinced that
Teachers Institutes conducted on the ele-
waited plain which characterized the For
ty third Animal Teachers Institute held
here last week are OF inestimable value
TO the public. The teachers who had the
pleasure of bearing such eminent ednca-
tors as Deputy State Superintendent
Houck. DIR. Black, Dr. Maltby. Prof
Green and others-all of whom brought
messages of cheer and inspiration in
striking contrast TO the dominies who Oc-
cupied the Opera House stage at the even
ing entertainments-and failed to adopt
some of the helpful suggestions offered by
them in regard TO the best methods Of i'm
parting knowledge aud conducting their
schools, and VINO returned 10 their school /
rooms without feeling inspired to do bel
ter and more faithful work than before,
had better resign their positions and turn
their efforts in directions where they will
not retard the development of the child
ren over whom they exercise the author
ity Of teacher.
A little personal narrative related by
DIR. Houek, at the joint session OF teach
ers and directors, in which be told of hav-
ing been called upon to rebHke teacher
for discriminating against an ignorant or
phan who, owing to her foreign birth and
uufamiliarity with the English language. |
was compelled 10 enter a class with child !
ren OF younger years and smaller size,
conveyed lesson. the value Of which /
can not be estimated in dollars and cents, |
and left lasting impression ou all who |
heard it. Dr. Houck'> appeal to the teach 1
ers to give their pupils lessons in patriot |
ism, 10 teach them love Of country, rever-
enee for the Stars and Stripes and respect |
for our National institutions, was most |
timely.
Prof Green's various lectures on the I
study of literature and language fell on
fruitful soil. The day has come when the |
best and pureSt literature is sttainsble in
even the most emO,e rural districts, but |
it requires such instruction as Prof. Green |
gives in his splendid talks to ineite teach
ers TO study literature along certain well! |
defined lines in which the personality Of |
the author and his promptings enter |
largely into comprehensive understand |
ing Of his work. Prof. GreeL's literary |
rsmble'' took his hearers on long jannt |
through green pastures, from which mer- |
cenary thought was vigorously excluded.
The Professors personality and lucid |
manner of speech were impressive, and |
many things be said and explained were
sent home with sledge- hammer blows TO !
10 the hearts of the Institute.
DIR. Black. sad-eyed little man from
the West, attracted the interest of the In
stitGte in his initial address and kept |
the teachers in a state of expectancy until |
be said goodbye" The Doctor was
'-dry'-at least many of the teachers said
so-bnt his ''dryness" had the aliuring
quality of leading his audience with him |
along the beaten path of pedagogy with |
frequent stops at diveTging points where |
even the successful and experienced |
teacher feels the need Of help from a
master mind. Every succeeding lecture |
delivered during the week by this gifted |
instructor emphasized the first impress |
sion that DIR. Black is one Of the best in |
stitute workers ever brought 10 this coUn- |
". Perhaps the most notable Of his splen- |
did lectures was one on Graduation, |
classification aud Promotion" dealing |
with matters that are misunderstood by |
many teachers and school directors. 1t 1
has been asserted by parents, with how |
much truth we 60 not attempt to state. |
that in several largely populated districts
Of Somerset county, where the schools |
are naturally more or less Overcrowded. |
graduation, classification aud promotion
have depended more upon the age and
size Of the candidates than upon their
theroughness IN the branches studied II
the suggestions offered by DR.. Black are
only Rsftia!!y carried into effect the meth
cd Of graduation. classification and pro-
motion will be revoluiionized, and to the
lasting advantage of the schools where
complaint has been made.
The several lecture by DIR. Maltby. in
addition to being Of the greatest practical
value 10 teachers. were both unique and
cla,s'c. and fascinated all vino heard him.
Il woald be impossible 10 = IN an esti-
mate Of the individual benefit and help
each teacher received from DR.. Msltby,
but IL Is safe TO state that all were inspired
by his logic tn work more earnestly than
heretofore. and 10 pay less attention TO
the rules laid down in the text books,
aud more to properly directing the un-
folding minds of their scholars.
With surh an able corps Of instructors
as was present at last weeks Institute
with sneh large attendance OF teachers
. bent on the serious work Of betterinR
themselves in their profession, il is clear
ly manifest that Teachers Annual lnsti-
tutes. at least Ia Somerset county, are of
the greatest public valGe.
Superintendent Pritts is to be CON-
mended for having secured such cfpa