The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1900-02-01
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
of the Kenosl county Board of sopervis-
ors- November session.

make the examinations 50 thorough
that only the best qualified candidates
get through the tests. Such plan
secures three good results: az The
schools are supplied with the best
teaching material. n Cheap teach
ers are kept out; thereby ensnring
good teachers reasonable pay. (3) The
majority of teachers are stimulated
to continued study.
In order to secure a certificate OF
any grade, a candidate must make an
average of seventy-ive per cent. and
must not fall below seventy in any
branch. More difficult tests are given
in the first and second grades. The
main thing for the examiner to find
out is: Has the candidate SO good a
grasp of any subject that he can teach
it? Bear in mind gentlemen, that a
person must know very, very much OF
a thing before he can teach just a
little of it. Before any one can teach,
he must have two things: A thorough
knowledge of his subject: and how
the mind works in gaining a know
ledge of such subject. Many think
that if you know a subject you can
teach it. This is a great mistake,
and accounts for much Of the poor
work done n our public schools. On
the other hand if a person knows
method and nothing of the subject
matter, he can't teach. A person
must have two legs before he can
walk, and in like manner a teacher
must have matter and method before
he can teach.
Admitting the foregoing, it follows
that the theory and art of teaching is
of equal value with the branches
required in an examination. My tests
are largely based on the Wisconsin
Manual, book written to guide the
teacher in his work.
This very useful manual is furnished
free to every teacher. It shows what
is to be taught and how to teach it. Its
use is a wonderful help to the teachers.
During the year ending Nov. l, 1899,
II persons have taken the regular
examinations. Of these, twenty-five
failed to pass, leaving ffty-fve, or
seventy per cent, who gained certifi-
Gates.
At this date, Nov. 1, 1899, there are
seven persons holding first grade GER
tifcates, five holding normal certif-
Gates, forty-two third grade, and thirty
seven who hold second grade.
Gentlemen, we may feel proud that
so many of Kenosha County's teachers
hold such good certificates.
Ihave aimed to give fair tests, care
fully avoiding puzzles and conundrums
In Arithmetic there are fifteen tests
The ten mental ones are written on q
sheet of paper and handed the candi
date who, is expected to readily work
them at sight. Most of the teachers
are very weak in oral arithmetic, show
ing that this very useful subject has
not been taught. was obliged to give
many limited certificates, mostly or
that account. I have put out the dan
ger signal that at the spring exanlin
alton no allowances will be made II
the matter of mental arithmetic. AL
must pass in this subject.
Seventy-fve wrote for diplomas
sixty-four securing the same. The
hope of gaining a diploma acts as
a good stimulus to the student. He has
an aim in his work.
INSTITUTES.
During the year two Institutes have
been held, one at Kenosha, just after
Thanksgiving; the other at Bristol,
July 17-24 inclusive, The first was
conducted by Miss Fox and Mr.. Shuts,
the one at Bristol by Mr.. Jackson, Mr..
Patzer and the County Superintendent.
The effect of these meetings is very
plainly seen in the much better work
being done by the teachers.
now place on record the fact that in
all MY experience 1 have never seen
any other people give such good help
aud do so much to make the teachers
feel at home as did the citizens of
Bristol at the last summers Institute.
Every latch string was out, the par1ors
were open to all, the church was fur
nished free, and the teachers were
made,to feel that they owned the town.
The teachers received a warming up
which will last for years. The last
summers Institute was one of doing
instead of listening to talk at so many
dollars a listen. The yawning, sleepy
Institute is past; the working, awaken
ing Institute has come to stay.
ARBOR AND MEMORIAL DAYS.
Arbor Day was quite generally OBJ
served. There is a growing desire for
pleasanter school grounds. Neate1
and shadier grounds help boys and
1t,4 70 ho4+a.- nov, n n =