Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1899-02-15
The Teachers Meeting at Calmar.

Notwithstanding the severe weather,
about thirty teachers and goodly
numbered others interested In educa-
tional matters, met in the assembly
rooms of the new high school building
at Calmar, Saturday. February IL,
1899.
The meeting was called to order at
Ills a. m. by Superintendent Haugen,
and the discussion of the topics on the
program was opened byMiss Starks in
al able paper on How can the Benz
fits of the Normal Institute be In
creased?" This paper was followed by
an interesting talk by Prof Parks, in
which he outlined the plans of conduct.
ing the institute in the state Of New
York, and the manner of issuing GER
tificates to the teachers. Briefly out
lining this plan, it is as follows: The
institute instructors are appointed and
paid out of state funds by the superin-
tendent of public instruction. The
teachers are required by law to attend
the institute sessions, which are held
annually and remain in session one
week. During the time the teachers
are attending the institute they receive
the same pay as if they were teaching.
Superintendent Haugen's plan ofthe
entire separation of the examinations
and the institute work was discussed
and approved. 1t was also held that
efficient instructors together with the
hearty cooperation of the teachers of
| the county are the essential factors In
establishing the success of a Normal
Institute.
Prof Dempsey's and Miss Moen's
papers on 1.-THE Teachers Opportunit-
les for Self Improvement" brought out
a lively discussion. A systematic
course of home study, together with
careful preparation of each lesson was
urged on the part of every teacher.
The benefits to be derived from attend
ing good summer schools was very
strongly eIHpndsiZeu.
Miss Tillie Becker read an excellent
poper on "Would it be Desirable to In
troduce the Speer Number Work into
our SchoOls?n The sentiment ex.
pressed in the discussion that followed
indicated that it was thought best, for
the present, to let "Speer Number
Work" alone.
Prof. Wildman led i'm the discussion
"Shall We Excuse Pupils from Exami.
nations?" The sentiment that no pu-
pill, having attained the age and ability
to realize the value of an examination,
should be excused, unless physically
incapable, seemed to be the prevailing
one. 1t was also held that examina-
tons are excellent tests to ascertain q
teachers shortcomings in the work
covered. II
w. J. Barloon,s paper on els There
Enough Benefit Derived from the
Normal Institute to Justify the Elk
pense Incurred?" created lively inter
est which was expressed In the discus
sion led by Mr.. c. A. Russell. The in
stitute aud its mission were ably de
Tended, and no one seemed ready tc
suggest anything better to take the
place of the County Institute.
The question of free text books wa'
introduced by Prof. Hook, and was
discussed to some extent. The senti
ment expressed seemed to decidedly
favor the plan.
With few closing remarks by Supt
Haugen, including vote of thanks tt
the good people Of Calmar, who 81
kindly entertained the teachers in at
tendance, the meeting was adjourned
all feeling that the time had been prof
itably spent.
G. o. HAUaEN. Supt.
| EDITH DAJJBNHY Sec