The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-24
PLEASED WITH OUR SCHOOLS
Estimate of Northern Teacher Quite Differ
eut from That of Mrs. Belts.

One day in November while conduct
ing the exercises OF my school. there was
{; knock at my door, as the word 'Prln-
cipap' is written over my portal. theIe
ing was planned. These Interruptions are
not infrequent. My caller. a pleasant. IN:
misunderstanding lady. introduced herself
as Mrs. Washburn from Hartford. Conn
on asking if l could serve her in any way
she replied that she was a teacher III tue
Hartford public schools and was on a
visit to our city TOR a feW "a, Gays - ana nal
something of the work in our pubic
schools; that she taught the second read
and would like to see that Grade.
the grade she desired, but for come rea-
son the teacher in that grade was not
prepared to receive visitors and Mrs
Washburn returned to my room. AS she
seemed much disappointed. asked her
to have a seat, not thinking for a moment
of the havoc the famous Mrs. Betts mad
wrought IN our mast. l tOlu MIS-. WASH
burn I would like for her to hear my lit
tie ones go through with some OF their
daily exercises and tell me what she
thought OF our method OF teaching. She
seemed very much pleased to do so. The
tntii> ciass-uily-elSut IN number-read
a portion of a lesson, spelled one word
and wrote numbers from dictation on
their states. She frequently interrupted
with words of praise, and finally said That
for pupils who had entered school in Sep
TENDER their progress was wonderful and
she spoke SOME very kind words in con-
nection with the interest and attention
shown by>the pupils. and also on the or
der maintained. l told her my class was
simply a sample of the work being done
in that grade all over the city and that
we SOuthernerS were inclined to believe
Ourselves 1t lltIle SLOW, consequently - was
very pleasant to have an outsider come
with such words OF cheer and encourage
some way to show you how delighted
am with your work and to thank you
for your courtesy Should you ever come
to Hartford, | hope you will visit The
Charter Oak School and l will 10 all
can to make your visit pleasant
l then asked her how she could get
leave of absence during the school term.
She replied in substance that in Hartford
each teacher is allowed the space of two
weeks during the session for enforced abb
sence, caused either by sickness or strin-
furnishing the substitute. but after two
weeks the teacher paid the substitute.
She added that her record as teacher was
good and that she had no trouble in get
ting leave Of absence for a little trip
south.
1 believe every teacher in the Richmond
public schools has felt agsrieved over
an article which appeared in the cont
look" some months ago criticisins our
schools. but this ought. not to be the case.
There is an old saying that the proof
OIL the puuoing is IN the eating. when
we look around among the younger gen
Grafton of our professional and business
men we nn>, that many OF the leaders in
these several pathways received their ed
ucation in our city schools. I think.
therefore, We need not trouble about ,ln-
pleasant criticism from the outside world.
There should be no fear for our future.
for our conservative course will tell in
the end, and While we fully appreciate
the Importance of "Nature-studv.' etc,
in the school. yet there are Weishiler
matters, such as thorough knowledge
teaulnss, wrIt.pS anu the. science OF
numbers that will always claim the first
place in our curriculum.
CORNELLA S. TAYLOR.
Teacher OF First and Second Primary
Grades, Leigh School