The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1901-09-11
TEACHING THE FILiPiNOS.
Montana Lady Among the American
Instructors at Manila,


Miss Minnie A. Refenrath, sister of
was one of the first American teachers
to go to the Philippines arrived at Ma
Mia on June rs, and is now engaged
in teaching the natives the english
language. Miss Reifenrath sailed
from San Francisco on the transport
Lawton on May 81. The following eX-
tracts from several of her letters writ
ten to her people at home will be
| read with interest:
Here am safe and sound on land.
We arrived in the bay Sunday morn
ing, but did not come ashore until
Monday. On Sunday Il couple of gen
tlemen came on to welcome us on be
half of the educational department.
On Monday they met us and brought
us to a building that win be utilized
for a school later. They have sleep
ing quarters fitted up for us. We take
our meals at a restaurant
i cannot begin to tell you how
pleased am with the way things have
gone so far. The men in charge are
cultured gentlemen and thoroughly
equipped for business. Today | spent
in visiting schools begin my WORK
Monday. This year shall have to
teach nine months, and then put in
one months work in normal insti-
tute. Next year I'll have three
months vacation"
In another letter Miss Relfcnrath
says:
Il was given my choice of staying
here in Manila or going to Cebu. I'm
IA
decided to stay in Manila. | am the
English teacher In the Sampolic girls
school. 1t is the principal girls school
here numbering between 400 and 500
girls. There are five native women
teaching with me. teach class of
girls from s to 40 and from 2::30 to 3;
from 10 to II and from 3 to | in
strIct the native teachers. The native
teachers have charge of the discipline
and reports, but the English teachers
are the power behind the throne. The
teachers are quiet. retiring women,
eager to learn English and teach ac-
cording to our idea. The pupils are
bright and receptive. SO far | have
found them easily managed anu very
grateful. | do not know when had
pupils who seemed to care more for
me nor whom | nike more than these
Filipino girls. and You know | al
ways fortunate in the kind of pupils
| had to deal with. am teaching
evenings from Z to 9. could teach
10 hours extra if had the time and
strength. The natives are so anxious
to learn English. | attended a Filipi
no wedding last Sunday evening. and
at the reception met NE FinpinO who
is Italian consul here. He is a mar
ried man. very wcauny and sought by
all the high officials here. He is a
highly educated. polished gentleman,
and asked to study English with me.
You see | teach from s to II. from 2:30
to and from 1880 to 9. Between II
to IL | rest. No one goes out during
the middle of the day. so I'm sure of
not being disturbed. told this gen
tleman Id work with him in English
between and I p. m.
Il live across from my school with
Spanish family. 1t is a good clean
house. The natives are IA clearly peo-
pie personally. have large front
room. which | have divided into two
rooms, with a siX-panel Indian screen.
! have furnished my rooms myself
These Spanish houses have almost no
furniture and bare polished floors
Every morning the servant coal oils
two flannel cloths. folds them in
squares and puts them under his feet
and slides around as if on skates, pol
.sning the floors. Inc coal oil pre-
vents cockrOaches from getting too
numerous.
Il like Manila very much. The old
Manila. the walled city. is a most pic
turesque city. The mOat, the draw