The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1899-05-04
TEACHERS INSTITUTES.
For the Bossier Banner.

For the Bossier Banner.
just now, when SO much impor-
lance is attached to Institutes, Sum-
mer Normals, ETC., perhaps it would
not be amiss to call the attention of
the people of Bossier to the fact that |
the interest manifested in this work
is one Of the strongest evidences OF
progress in educational lines.
At first thought, it seems little
strange that some of the most intelli'
gent people of the parish are opposed
to having teachers lose week from
school to attend the Parish Institute;
but not so unreasonable, when they
allege, in defending the position they
take, that there is no improvement in
the teaching, and that everything
goes on in the same old way. Now,
THERE'S something wrong. Probably
it is a misunderstanding.
The wise teacher does not, on re-
turning from an Institute, revolution
ize at once his whole system; but
gradually, steadily, introduces re-
forms in such way that the pupils
themselves are scarcely aware Of the
change. If teacher attempts to
accomplish this in week, or even in
q month, he undertakes task impos.
sible to perform and soon, careworn
and disheartened, he concludes that
he is "a failure after ALL" and all his
ambitious plans end in confusion.
Now, to the patrons I would say :
Do not judge OF the teachers improve
ment by the reports of the children.
I venture the assertion that not one
out of ten patrons ever visits the
schoolroom as often as twice during
a term. You love your children; you
toll from morning till night, year in,
year out, that you may be able to
supply their physical wants. Yet you
| are thus negligent of their mental and
moral development. It is not enough
that you send them to school. Do
you not realize that the teacher is
largely moulding your child's charac-
teri Then by all means see to it
I that you have a teacher capable OF
calling forth all that is highest and
noblest in that child's nature.
| The most successful teacher is that
one who rises above the petty annoy
ances and discouragements that beset
his path, keeps his end steadily in
view, and by patient Continuance il
we'll doing" finally reaches the goal
| As for the Institutes, the inspira
ton and enthusiasm impaired to thu
teacher will more than repay th'
children for that ttlost week." Be
sides becoming aroused to activity
the teacher, by coming in contac
with other workers in the profession
gains many fresh ideas.
I cannot believe that any person o
ordinary intelligence could atten'
such an Institute as was held in Ben
ton in February, and take part in th
discussions, without being benefited
Any teacher, who, under these cir
} cumstances goes away and says hi
time was wasted, should by all means
resign and give place to worthie
: representatives of the profession.
The work in these Institutes
, particularly beneficial to those VIII
have been deprived of Norms
School training. Summer Normal
: carry on a similar work on a NOR
extensive scale.
At Ruston, during the month {
, July, there will be q Summer Norms
in connection with the Chautauqu.
These Institutions are doing incalcr
, liable good to the State, and I woul
, urge my fellow-teachers, and all wh
are interested in self-culture, to max
q every effort to attend the Chautauqu
khso vao~