The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1900-10-25
TEACHERS
INSTITUTE.
Public School Teachers Of Big
Stone Gap and Richmond
Districts Meet at
StOnega ACad-
envy.

5 The Teachers Institute, mention
which was made in the last issue of Il
Posr, was held Friday, oct. ~, at Stonca
= Academy.
There were present: Supt. W. II. Wsmr
Ter; Trustees y. VI. Lea and b. +. Will
; Of Richmond District; Prin. r. II. Shepp
Misses F. A. Mccormick, Eula b. Youn.
Katharine Cardozo. Sallie A Clborn,
: Elizabeth Brown, and Jno A. Gilmer. q
the Big Stone Gap District, Principals
D. Hughleit, r. +. Kennedy, NJ A. Rigg,
Messrs. j. >. Kelly, j. y. Jones. W. II
Sproles; and Misses Laura Sloan, Lul
Moore, Lura Kennedy, Molle Wampler
Rosa Riggs, Maggie Sloan, Minnie Far
sons, Bessie Wampler, Rachel Allison, o
Richmond District. Visitors Hon. A j
Montague, Jno. W. Fox, Sr., ". D. Me
Neil, j. a. Dorton, c. c. Cochran, am,
Misses Nesta and Anna Slemp.
At 9:i5, the Institute was opened b,
Supt. Wampler, who read the KEY Psalm
after which the teachers joined in singing
the grand old hymn, Rock Of Ages, Mis-,
Allison at the organ
The Superintendent read the first sub.
ject on the program, "What is the best
method to induce parents to send their
children TO SCHOOL," and introduced Mr.
j. y. Jones, who treated the subject a.
follows: LIST, Create desire in the child
to attend school. (a) Create "A desire to
learn. (b) Secure the friendship of the
parent. (c) Create rivalry in the class
work. 2nd, Secure the interest Of the
parent. ca BY reporting progress of the
child. ~ BY stimulating pride. (c) By
visiting parents. Bird, Laws compelling
attendance.
Mr.. Jones spoke for twenty minutes and
was followed by Messrs. Wampler and
Sheppe.
"The State Teachers League was the
second subject announced for DISCUSSION.
and Mr.. Sheppe in twenty minutes talk
explained its object, gave its history, and
suggested its possibilities. This organi-
cation has been in existence, under one
name or another, for twenty years. Pro.
fessor +. V. n. Painter, OF Roanoke COL
lege, was one of the first Presidents, and
Mr.. Snavely, Of Wylheyille, was one of
the first Secretaries. After these State
Superintendent John +. Massey and Mr.
Sheppe held the offices Of President and
Secretary, respectively, for several years.
Under these officers, the Organization was
known as THE State Teachers Associa-
ton" II 1898, the Association was re-
organized under the name OF "Nirginia
Teachers Cooperative League" and Mr.
Dudley Cowles, of Hampton, Va, was
made President. At Roanoke, july II.
1900, Prof Willis A. jenkins, of Ports
mouth, Va, succeeded Mr. Cowles a.
President. The organization has now
President, Mr.. jenkins; Secretary, Mss
trace c. Williams, Richmond, Va.;a Vice
President in each Congressional District,
'nd al Executive Committee composed of
i've leading teachers of the state.
Mr.. Sheppe thinks that the League has
lot grown strong because there are so
ew teachers in the state that are really |
teachers. Many people enter
he ranks OF teachers, remain in the
chOolroom two or three years, drop out,
nd are never heard Of as teachers after
Tards. Not more than ten per cent Of
he teachers Of the State are really pro-
essional teachers.
AT this time, certainly. there is need OF
rganization. Questions appurtainiug to
he schools of the state will be considered
y the coming State Constitutional Con-
ention. IL those persons most interest
4 do not present them, aud discuss
iem, and formulate them, those who
ave possibly but Il passing interest must
D it. The teacher whose life is in the
,hool, aud whe best knows the school
nd its needs, should not shirk the respOn-
bility resting upon him. He should not
and by idle and see others try TO do the
ork that he should do, and then com
ain that mistakes were made. This is
ot politics, but business
Among the questions that may possibly
, before the Convention for cOnsidera. |
OH are: .
% The election of School Supern- 4
ndents, State and County-whether the
esent method Of election by the Legis-
ture. or direct election as practiced in
e State of Florida he the better plan.
The question already agitated to 4,
me extent, whether Trustees should lie
i'd. (3) How shall the indiscriminate
of degrees, unworthily won, he
evented, and the standard of education j
ised. "a How can standard be fixed
: High School work in Virginias (5)
,w can High School work in the
unties be most efficiently donef (6)
Nv eau the schools Of Virginia secure