Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-11-14
Public Teachers Meeting.

Saturday afternoon the High school
room was filed with an sppreciatiye audi
ence assemb Ied in response to general
invitation TO all interested, with special
invitations to parents of pupils, TO attend
public teachers meeting.
The presence of Prof. Wright and the
corps Of Bethel teachers and Prof. Conant
and other Normal instructors added inter-
est TO the occasion, which was very pleas
ant one and ELECTED many compliments for
the teachers who participated in the pro-
gram. az well as for Prof. Prichard, who
planned it and presided during It's prssen-
tation.
Miss Jennie Stewart Of the grammar
I school read the first paper, 'The Presenta-
tion OF History" comparing the methods
OF teaching the study in Germany, France
and England with those OF our country and
pointing out sundry defects in the Ameri-
can system that are being gradually RENE
died. When properly taught, the student
receives training OF the imagination, MEM
ory and Judgment from this study, which
also teaches the relation between cause and
effect and the lives Of great men that IN
spire emulation.
ssNum Der Work" was the subject assign
/ ed Miss Neva Lockwood of the first pri-
mary, who would bring much OF real in
terest into the class by means OF the OBJ
iects with which the children work.
I
\ Illustrating her methods and showed that
she was capable Of arousing enthusiasm.
A table with devices used and work ae-
complished by the pupils threw further
light upon the subject.
Miss NJ. Lucina Saxton, preceptress, IN
presenting her theme, "lndivlduai versus
/ Class proved herself a close student OF
the student. Considering her subject first
historically she showed how the indiyid-
ual had been lost sight of in the class
training OF the ancients, whose minds had
received one-sided development. Pesta-
lozzi was the first exponent OF the theory
OF the right Of the student TO individual
development in his chosen line. Now the
accepted rule OF leading educators Is TO con-
slider first the individual and the develop
ment Of all his powers, his personality, IN
dividuality and character.
Miss Elva Parkhurst, teacher Of the sec
ond intermediate, made "Children' Ideals
instructive as well as very interesting.
just a. the matchless Parthenon served for
centuries as a model and an inspiration,
so do worthy qualities appeal to the chill
dren. who have a wonderful capacity for
hero worship. The questions, "W ould you
rather be man or a woman, and why
and "What man or woman in history
would you rather be, and why 2. were SUD
mitted 10 all the pupils in the village dis
trict Only one boy would prefer wo-
mans lot, but a number Of girls envied the
stronger sex. OF 80 boys, a per cent chose
Washington az their hero. Florence Night
ingale. Louisa May Alcott, Clara Barton,
Pres. Mckinley and many other famous
characters serve as ideals for other pupils,
and a useful lesson was suggested by the
novel statistics.
The second primary teacher, Miss Emma
Rowell, told .sHow to Break the Routine
OF School Life,n suggesting numerous va
riations and helpful methods that Indicate
that the successful teacher nowadays
must be person OF resource.
'sThe Advantages OF the Classics IN the
Practical DAYS OF the Twentieth Century
are thoroughly appreciated by Miss Jen-
ME Frost, second High school assistant,
who presented her convictions clearly ana
eoncisely. The student OF Latin and Greek
can study to advantage the history and
/, formation OF language. He can hardly IAN
! to attain superior knowledge OF the con-
| struction Of sentences and learn purity ana
! precision OF expression.
; "The Use OF Pictures in Teaching" was
explained by Miss c. Kate Howard OF the
first intermediate grade, who quoted from
Hugo's "Ies Miserables,n Beautiful
; things are as useful as useful things.
The story OF the widows sons who all
chose a seafaring life because OF the beau
, tiful marine scene which hung in the
, home illustrates the potent silent influence
: exerted by pictures. This power is recog-
} nized by book publishers who now make
. even textbook covers as attractive as pos
; sible. s'Seeing is believing and Illus
trations are invaluable aids in teaching.
Pictures train the artistic perceptions and
, exercise an ennobling influence in creating
love for the beautiful.
Miss Bertha Manney, teacher OF the
third primary, read a thoughtful and
well-written paper on "A Self-Governing
School, Self-government deepens and
broadens the character OF pupils, who be-
come more manly and womanly as they
feel the responsibility OF the confidence
, placed in them. They should not be gov
erned so vigilantly as to exclude all
| opportunity to practice self-government
or exercise the privilege OF choice. III
pupil is taught that his misdemeanors
trouble the school more than the teacher,
he will learn self-control and to care for
J the rights OF his neighbors. As the
teachers chief concern for her pupils is to
! make OF them good citizens, in some way
the old principle OF Liberty under law
! should be instilled, while the children
should also be taught the little formalities
7 and courtesies of life.
After the program an opportunity was
, afforded all present to meet the teachers
and make the acquaintance of the new
, members of the faculty.