Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-16
ROCKVILLE AND VICINITY.
Fifth Annual Institute of Public
School Teachers in Session.
Special CORRESPONDENCE of The Evening Star.
ROCKVILLE. Md. September 10 1902.

Special Cores pondence of The Evening Star.
ROCKVILLE, Md, September 10, 1902.
The fifth annual institute of the public
school teachers of Montgomery county be-
gan this morning in the circuit court room
at this place and will continue through Fri
day. The white schools of the county were
represented by teachers to the number Of
100 or more and there were also present
quite number of others interested in edu-
cation. The institute is being held under
the supervision of Prof. NJ Bates Stephens,
state institute conductor, assisted by Coun-
ty Examiner S. r. White.
The opening exercises consisted Of brief
remarks by Examiner White and several
songs by the assemblage, following which
there was prayer by Rev. Robert L.. Nc
Nair, pastor of the Rockville PreSby terrain
Church. After the roll call. Prof. A. G.
Harley, principal of Bailey school, was
chosen secretary.
Mr. Charles w Prettyman of the Rock
Vile bar, delivered the address of welcome.
Mr.. Prettyman's remarks were well chosen,
and on behalf of the citizens of the town
he gave the teachers a cordial welcome.
He extended his remarks into a discussion
of the Importance of the calling of the
teacher, referring to it as one of dignity
and responsibility and declaring the profess
sion to be second only to the ministry.
Prof. James f. .Byrne of this county re-
sponded on behalf of the teachers.
Prof Alexander Chaplain of Easton gave
an interesting talk on Mass Teaching" fol-
lowing which there was a discussion of the
subject participated in by Prof. A. G. Har-
ley, Miss Cora Skinner, principal of the
Kensington school, and others.
The morning session closed with an adj
dress by Prof. N. Bates Stephens. His re-
marks were general in character. He sug-
gested that teachers ought to cultivate the
acquaintance of the patrons of their schools
and visit them as frequently as possible.
no ftnr Ton hn
ercises and roll call were directed by Prof.
Harley. Miss M. Louise Edwards of An
napolis delivered an address on Progress
sive Course in Reading" and upon the con-
clusion Of her remarks answered numerous
questions propounded by the teachers. Fol-
lowing Miss Edwards, Prof. Stephens ad-
dressed the gathering. He paid attention
to the district school trustees charging
that, as rule. they are derelict in their
duty, seldom visiting the schools and that
they too frequently allow personal, family,
political or religious consideration to in
huence them in the exercise of their high
es- official prerogative-the appointment of
teacher. He urged that the trustees
be educated as to their part in the
management of the schools, and that
they be given every possible encourage
ment Prof Stephens also spoke of the
visits of the examiner to the schools, and
urged the teachers to keep the school build
ings and surrounding grounds clean.
The program of the afternoon was con-
Guided with an address by Prof. Chaplain
upon '.The Art of Questioning A asina
feature of the days proceedings was the
music, the entire gathering joining in the
singing.
This evening social was held in the
court room. It was In charge of commit
tee. Consisting of Miss Blanche Braddock.
chairman Miss Lucy Garrett. Miss Ida s
Dove, Prof. r. Thomas West and Mr.. Robt.
w. Stout. An interesting musical and lit
erary program was rendered and refresh
ments were served
Cardinal James Gibbons administered the
sacrament Of confirmation to class OF
ninety-one in st. Mary's Catholic Church