The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1899-11-01
ROUND TABLE.
Organization of Teachers in this
Valley FORMED.

Organization of Teachers in this
Valley Formed.
Prof. 7. c. Miller Elected President
Two Sessions Held-Mork Of the
Meeting Animated Discus
siens-What Was Done Next aeef.
Ing to be Held In Fairmont.
The meeting OF the teachers and
others interested in education in the
MonongaheIa Valley began here on
Friday afternoon. The sessions con
tinued on Saturday morning. No
meeting was held on Friday night
owing to the other meetings that en-
gagged the attention OF the teachers.
Many of them took in the session OF
the Fortnightly which met last
night.
The attendance was good, about
forty teachers being present. The
attendance from outside of the town
is very encouraging and hereafter it
may be expected to be larger as those
who may attend can be notified fur
Their in advance of the meetings.
The first meeting was held in Su
perintendent Gallup's room at the
Public School building and it was
called to order and Prof. Miller
called to the chair as temporary
chairman. He nominated 5. III. Bow
man as temporary secretary. This
organization was made permanent
on motion.
Among the topics discussed at
this meeting was ~Required English
ready Course which was taken up
by Prof. Hodges and replied to by
Prof. Armstrong. Prof. Gallup
talked on secondary Schools and
the place Of the High School in the
School System" Prof Crago also
spoke on this topic. Miss Wotrina
took for her subject promotion in
Graded schools, how land when
made" Prof. Gallup also took up
this topic.
SECOND SESSION.
At the morning session, after a few
preliminary remarks from Prof. Miller
and Prof. Crago, DIR. Raymond took
up the subject Of the place of the
High School in school system. As
this has become mooted question in
educational circles in this state, and
DR.. Raymond's views will be regarded
with interest by High School teachers
in w. Va, we summarize below his
expressions on this subject.
There has arisen demand for two
phases Of High Schools, the one a
preparatory school for college entrance
and the other training school for
life. Ii the High School Is to ac-
complish its proper purpose it must do
both phases of High School work.
This is not only practicable but is the
coming order of things. The High
School course Of study must be elastic
so as to contribute to both ends.
There is prejudice against such a
system but this must yield to the de-
mands of the times. The work of
the High School should be thorough
for it is better to teach few subjects
well, than multiplicity of subjects
poorly. High School work should be
specialized rather than dissipated over
too large field. Teachers should not
be expected or required to teach I'M
familiar subjects nor should students
be required to pursue distasteful sub
jects. Colleges ought to be adapted
TO the High School rather than the
High School to the college and this
the University has undertaken to do
through the elective system.
Issue was taken with some of DIR.
Raymond's propositions and general
discussion followed In which Prof
Gallup, Prof. M. G. Tough, Miss Car
roll and Prof. j. Walter Barnes par
ticipated, The remarks of Prof
Barnes were especially interesting and
comprehensive in scope. He present.
ed very forclbly the ideals of various
sections Of the country and the pre-
vailing educational sentiment among
educators throughout the country.
Prof. Barnes inclined towards the
view that the High School course
should exhibit greater uniformity
than DR.. Raymond would require.
Mr.. II. L. Swisher took up the sub
ject of school libraries and gave very
entertaining practical address in open
ing this topic. Mr.. Swisher express
ed the opinion that public school
libraries would come very slowly If
teachers did not make an active effort
to crystalize public sentiment in that
direction.
Prof. Lowe contributed some very
valuable experiences to this discus
sion.
On motion of Mr.. S. H. Bowman,
Fairmont was selected as the next
meeting place, and Dec. ! and was
fixed as the time.
The Chairman, Prof. Miller, then
appointed as an executive committee
to arrange for the next meeting, Pro-
fessors Barnes, Boland and Arm
strong.
The subject of school promotions
was again taken up, and the topic
was introduced by Prof. Marvin Bo-
land OF Fairmont.
The subject of ssNature Study"
was then taken up Mrs. Martin be-
iieved mat the study was worthy OF
attention, put That u has been carried
10 excess ana mad degenerated into
Iad. MISS hodges conceded with
Mrs. Martin, and thought that too
pany teachers attempted to pursue
Inc work, witnout compromising It's
underlying principles. Prof. 5. Is.
Brown doubted the feasibility of