The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1900-04-21
TEACHERS
INSTITUTE.
FOUR DAYS SESSION OF
COUNTY EDUCATORS AT
ELKTON.
Addresses by Prominent Educators and a
General Discussion of Matters Pertain
ing to the Work in Our Schools. In
stitute Also Held for COlored Teachers.

Instru, tive addresses and talks upon pro.
gressive educational matters, bright literary
and entertainment programs, CHEEKY faces
and good fellowship, and expressions OF
genera satisfaction, characterized the four
days session of the Cecil County Teachers
Institute held in Elkton on Tuesday, We'd
nesday, Thursday and Friday under the
direction of State Institute Superintendent
DR.. Samuel Il. Forman, ably assisted by local
Examiner George Biddle and the members
OF the County School Board, Messrs. George
A. Blake, c. S. Abrahams and George o.
Carey.
Sessions were held at 10 a. IN. and p. m.
each day, being devoted to matters pertaining
to the school room and the profession Of
teaching, although the programs were inter-
spersed with music. Addresses were made
by eminent instructors and papers read and
ideas exchanged by the county teachers.
On Tuesday and Thursday evenings the ex-
ercises were public in character, consisting
of music, recitations and addresses by promi-
nent speakers.
In his address Of welcome to the teachers
at the opening of the Institute on Tuesday
morning President G. A. Blake OF the County
School Board expressed the hope that the In
stitute would prove both pleasant and profit
able to them. matter for conSratuation was
that none of them had been removed by death
during the year and all had enjoyed Il good
measure of health. In summing up the work
OF the year, he said that two modern school
houses had been built, one at Conowingo, the
other at Ceciton. Others are needed, but it
is proper question to consider whether ii
would not be better to discontinue present
schools where the centres Of population have
changed and erect larger buildings at more
central points, in order that more graded
schools he established. 1t would increase
the salaries OF teachers without additional
expense to the county, and offer to the child
rem better advantages. \ High School had
been established at Chesapeake City
He deprecated the fact that in some parts
OF the county, especially at the beginning Of
the school year, the attendance had been
greatly below the average, and which condi-
ton causes us TO consider the matter Of com
pulsory education.
He thought that under our present system
OF sending the children in Cecil county from
the lower schools TO the high schools at the
end of the sixth grade. we would not fall
into the error of pushing the children along
too fast so that in the effort to cover II
lengthy curriculum in Il few years the prim.
arv studies and essential ones would be TO an
extent neglected.
He said that the opinion had been express
ed to him that Teachers Institutes are of no
practical value and that it would be better to
have the time taken up by them used by the
teachers in conducting school as usual, rather
than, as now. to have the scholars turned
adrift for Il week He said that that is a
serious charge. and il true, the Institutes had
better be abandoned. However, he did not
believe the same is correct. He thought that
most valuable results would follow from the
Institutes if teachers will avail themselves of
the opportunities afforded.
The teacher is training those who shall be
onr future citizens, and upon whose action
depends the permanency OF our institutions.
Train your children TO think Of questions out
side the curriculum make them patriots and
lovers OF their country. Teach them to have
faith in themselves, and this, their native
land. Above all pay due heed to their morals.
Train them to believe in God, and the reign
and sway of His laws Enjoin truth, purity
honor and honesty.
He congratulated the teachers upon the
nF and "a
enthusiasm and faithfulness with which they
had done their work.
DR.. s. E. Forman, State Institute Director
in his address upon Teaching rs a Profess
sion" at the opening session on Tuesday
morning made the inquiry, rs teaching a
profession in the sense that law, medicine
and theology are professionsY By compari-
son it is found that teachers do not always
have the professional spirit that character
ICES these professions. They are not so care
full to exclude from their body those who by
lack OF attainments would degrade the call
ing and make it cheap. They have no pro-
fessonal code, they are not sufficiently loyal
and therefore they are not united and pre-
pared to defend themselves upon occasion,
they do not always abstain from undermining.
1t was urged that truly professional spirit
would strengthen the teachers hold upon
society and would eventually elevate teach
ing to the dignity and rank of the three
historic learned professions The teacher
would then be rewarded and honored as
lawyers, ministers and physicians are re-
warded and honored.
DIR. f. 81. Green. of the Pennsylvania Nor
NAL School, in his address on Thursday even
ing made reference to questions in scientific
realms, social lines, and childhood; then a
consideration of the three queries put con-
cerning persons in Philadelphia, New York
and Boston, In the first named place: "Who
was your grandfather ?" in New York. "What
are you worth ~ in Boston, "What do you
know" The lecture naturally embraced
80 rodis,raa ypnwlad,a fin on1