News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1899-09-20
JOHNSON NORMAL SCHOOL.
Principal Ranger is One of VermonTs
Most Progressive Educators.


Most Progressive Educators.
The normal school at Johnson is
most accessible for pupils from the
northeastern part of the state.
The origin of this school was in the
Johnson Academy, which was insti-
tuted in 1928. In 1886, the year in
which Lamoille county was organ
lied, the johnson Academy became,
by legislative incorporation, the La
noble county grammar school, and
public lands were granted for its sup
port.
For thirty years the school rem
deled worthy service in the cause of
higher education, and was recognized
as one of the foremost academies in
the state. During the principalship
of Major Pangborn the school at one
time numbered 225 pupils and regis
tered in a single year 3O5 different
pupils. Many students OF this school
have attained eminence in service
and honor, among whom are the
Hon. II. II. Powers, Judge Thomp-
son, Governor Shell Ion of South Da-
kota, the Hon. James Fletcher, and
Admiral Dewey.
1t is significant that the academy
maintained as a part of its work a
"normal department to prepare
teachers for the public schools. In
1866 the school began as it's chief
aim the special work of training it's
students for the profession of teach
ing. In December of that year it
was approved by the State Board of
Education as State Normal school.
The state assumed supervision of the
school Feb. 26, 1867. In it's contin-
uous existence of nearly thirty-three
years it has graduated siXty-two
classes, numbering nearly 800 stu
dents.
The story of the school reveals
marked and continued progress. 10
the place of a teachers class, "meet-
ing outside of school hours at five
o'clock in the morning." is a school
supported distinctively for the prep
aration of teachers. A partial sup
port and control on the part of the
state has given place to complete
control and support by the state.
Since 1897, when the school passed
under the absolute control of the
State Normal school commission,
there have been many marked i'm
provements. New courses of study
have been instituted, the standard OF
the work has been raised, the oppOr-
tunities for observation and practice
in teaching have been enlarged and
improved, and efforts have been ex-
erted to enhance the service of the
school to the state by keeping it in
touch with it's educational system
and responsive to the needs of its
public schools.
The practice school, which was in
stituted about thirteen years ago,
and consisted of the primary grades,
was enlarged in 1897 so as to in
clude the nine elementary grades and
one grade of high school work. The
school numbers about $50 pupils.
The Juniors observe teaching in this
school for one year, and the Seniors
teach daily fer the same time.
Dnring the past year several hun.
dred dollars have been expended in
repairs aud improvements. Besides
the state hoard is expanding specia
appropriat on of $1,000 in books
apparatus, ETC., much of which il
already available. Last June the
graduating class numbered "a. The
fall term opened August 30 anC
everything points to increased st
tendance and prosperous year
Principal Ranger is we'll known il
this section as he was for severa
years principal of Lyndon Institute
He has always been actively anC
prominently identified with the edu
catiOnai interests of the state; is {
persistent student of men and meth
DDS and his work at johnson is rap
idly bringing that school into prom
inence among the states educationa
institutions. Mr.. Ranger is assisted
by Judson b. Ham, who was also hi
assistant a. Lyndon Institute, Mis-
Lizzie E. Bass, Miss Elvira Carve
and Miss Liz c. Allen.
Johnson, the home of this school
is situated in water-gap OF tn
Green Mountains, at the confluenc,
of the Gihon and Lamoille rivers
and amid unusual beauty and diver
sity of scenery. The village is typi
caIly Vermont in it's location, home
and character of it's people; it pos
sesses that environment and socia
atmosphere which contribute effect
ually to the intellectual and mora
welfare of the students; and is par
ticularly well adapted for Norma
school work. All bones are open II
the reception and care OF those il
attendance upon the school and tn
community will assumeguardianshi
of all who are entrusted to its care
st. Johnshury Republican.
y Narrow Escape.
Thankful words written by Mrs
"a IL NJ II