Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-09-12
STATE HOUSE,
Valuable Addition to Portrait
Collection in Rotunda.
What Summer Schools Are Doing
for Maine Teachers.
Interview With State Superintendent Stetscn
on School Matters.

v
terday, gives a good idea of the inesti-
mapc benefits of the summer schools
If the State, not only to the teachers.
but also 10 the scholars as well. He
was very busy when seen at the de-
uartment Of education. but managed
to spare a little time from his duties
to talk with the Journal man. When
asked about the number Of summer
schools in the State. he said:
There We're six summer schools for
teachers in session during the past
season. They were located at Ellis
worth Waterville, Norway. Lincoln
Presque Isle and Fryeburg. Each
school was in session two weeks"
How about the number in attend
ance at the summer schools?" asked
the Journal.
There We're over eleven hundred
teachers in attendance. being about
one fourth of the entire number of
teachers employed in the State. This
record places Maine at the head Of the
list in the per cent. Of teachers attend
ing summer schools"
What was the training Of those at
tending? Were they common school
graduates or teachers who had good
Gnu ational advantages? Z"
Nearly tWo-thirds Of the teachers
registered are graduates of high
schools. academies. seminaries, normal
schools or colleges"
Were those attending from other
states or from Maine only"
quite a number Of teachers were in
at on Of
but are now teaching in other states
We also had teachers from the Middle
Atlantic. Middle Western and the Pa
cifc states: there We're also teachers
from Cuba in attendance"
Where We're the students from?
From those localities near the school.
or from different parts 1T the State?"
Nearly oue-third of all the towns
in the State had representatives in the
schools"
What was the work done by the
teachers?"
1T is my impression that there are
no two weeks during the entire year
when the teachers work as faithfully
and as earnestly as they 40 during the
time that they are at the summer
schools. Many Of them attended for
the eight periods that the schools We're
in session each day. They took full notes
Of the work done and the instruction
given. ana spent much time outside Of
The time set apart for the regular SEES
sions in carrying on Investigations rec
commended by tho Instructors
What branches did the instructors
take up asked the reporter.
Prof. Roberts helped the teachers
to read ana appreciate good English.
and assisted them in acquiring a more
felicitous use Of their mother tongue.
DR.. Triplett aided the teachers in bet
ter understanding Of children and be
ing more servicedble to them as in
structors He helped the teachers to
realize that they must know the chill
dren before they can serve them. Or.
CrossweH presented. with many useful
and suggestive illustrations, the fam
GUS Hodge system Of Nature Study.
Miss Hall gave the best methods of
primary instruction. Mrs. Davis pre-
scented the latest thought upon gram
mar school methods Miss Talbot gave
useful lessons in vertical pcnmanship.
Miss Barrett gave sensible and help
ful talks On physiology, hygiene ana
physical culture. The State superin-
tendent gave interpretations Of some
Of the representative works Of the
great painters.
How do the superintendent look on
the work done BY the summer schools ''
was the next question.
"A large number of superintendent
have written the department. express
ing the opinion that the pupils in
their daily work have been greatly
benefited BY the help which the teach
ers have received in the summer
schools Of previous years. They make
special note Of improved methods. bet
ter systems Of management and a
more active interest in books on ped
agOgy and educational magazines On
the part Of the teachers, as among thc
tangible results of the work done in
these schools. These comments are
| hearty and specific.
How did the instructors in the
/ Maine summer schools compare with
| those In other States
| Il think there has been no school il
/ New England that has had corps Of
\ instructors superior To those givins
/ the work IN the Maine SCHOOLS fLdCl
/ one is an expert in the department o.
which he had charge"
Have any applications been made
! for positions as teachers at the mex
sessions Of tho summer schools
~ have received enough applica
tions to equip % or 30 schools, QnC
from points as far away as Alabama
Iowa and Wisconsin. Experts in meth
DDS seem to be- anxious to come int
the State ana study our schools anc
our teachers"
What is the demand for Main
teachers in other states?"
ut is especially gratifying that Their
are 50 many calls for our teacher
from other states. The average schoo
man seems to feel that a Maine teach
can fill any position he will accept
They prove themselves exceptional,
successful in discipline and instruction
and are also fertile in devices. INTEL
gent in the use of methods. and equa
to emergences as they arise"
ITO what do you attribute the i'm
rrovements in the Maine schools
First. To the increase Of intelligen
interest in the local school Second
in the progressive and energetic quail