Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-01-01
OUR TEACHERS
Put in a Long and Hard but
Profitable Days Work.
Large Variety Of Subjects Handled at
the Several Sessions.
w. G. MaIlett of Pennington, Unani-
mously Elected President.

days when it seems good just to be
alive and of course, that's a good time
for a convention. Both days have
been all that could be desired so far
as weather goes, and this no doubt
has had something to do with the sue
cess that has been attained.
The morning session commenced at
$50. there being two departments in
progress at the same time. The first
was in the City hall and the second in
the aldermens room. The former was
in charge Of Superintendent John r.
Dunton of Belfast. and the latter of
7 0. Newton of the Maine Wesleyan
Seminary. q The first was devoted
chiefly to .superintendents, although
there was good proportion OF teach
ers in the audience. The opening ad-
eress was made by State Superinten-
don't Stetson. Mr.. Stetson urged the
s,,nerintendents to devote the most of
their time to the regular routine of the
schools but also advised having some
special line for work and study. He
also advised that some course OF read
ing be ACCOMMODATED to the teachers
and puE lis in the schools. He urged
the sup.kintendents to be loyal to their
teacherk to learn to keep their mouths
shut, t,Iheal SO far as possible every
dificultt and to learn to go slow.
He relieved that every superinten-
dent hi, some subject With which he
was mete familiar than with any 9TH
er andle advised that talks be given
| in thestchools on these subjects. He
knew he man who kney much about
bees aid he gave some very interest
ing talks on the subjed that inter-
ested md instructed thefpupils.
He lid not care so mach what the
subjecI might be that TIRE superinten-
dent cJuld best handle, but he believed
that tdlks upon it would be of value
Mr.. Stetson told some very interesting
little anecdotes drawn from his own
experience as a teacherEapd super1n-
tendent and his whole address proved
to beugie of the best things of the con-
HeS tas Widowed by Superintendent
G. AZ 2Stu8ft of NewtBritain, Conn
who spoI<eeoA the subject, THE Super
intendent affd the Teacher Mr.
stuart taught his first school in Bel
Fast 35 years ago and since that time
has had much experience in the schools
az this and other states. He advised
against talking about any specific
method of teaching to the teachers
This might be done in general way
h,,t he believed In allowing the teach
ers to work out their own methods
without mourning the risk of combat
ting them or causing them to believe
that what you had to offer was not Sc
, good as their own
He made strong plea for a well ar
ranged course of study. He thought
this should represent the minimum OF
the requirements so that the teachers
might have liberty in filling in what
thew thought might be most needed
IL, the particular case of their school
Rut he believed fhe course should be
| carad,lIy thoughtkout and Arranged.
| Helalso urged u good working pro-
aramIfor each schpol day This shbuld
he arranged to keep all the pupils busy
all trh time. When he saw a disor-
derIv school ne WAS pretty sure that
something was wrong with thes PRO-
1 gram. He spoke 1t seme length abou,
i teachers meetings, describing Ethe
grade and general meftlnss such a3are
held hinder his direction. He hlsc
touched on the visiting of schools by
the TEACHERS, belieyina that twas bet
ter to have tie noor y teachers ylsi'
the better ones 4 ten own system
than til visit those ofother places He
thought the Superintendent could sse-
lect q School out pf his own list, hat
would kenefit the potfer teachers INC
then prEide an Opportunity for her te
visit this. nv securing a substitute to
take hols place fort a, day or half q
, day. IIh also advised the use of the
SUPPLEMENTARY regStT for the purpose
of keeping track Of the scholarsSand
their wJrk.
TheseI addresses WIRE followed w q
discussion of geography and gihm-
mar. The first was discussed in an
able paner by Arthur Al Heald 'Ba,
: Harbor, and tn, secold by w. GsMal-
lett of Pennington. These were both
ferry INTERESTING to he teacherss and
superintehdents present.
Superintendent Shtson sug&ted
that at the adjournnentso the gu
1
had beenl superintendent. those vno
were experimenting and those who
had hopes should gather down ont
and hold a little meeting of them wn.
This included about erery one the
han so the program Ct the fort pom
lin this department Was cut tile
land the meeting held as suggested
lit was much enjoyed.
Meanwhile more viry interesting
Idiscnssions were in p1ogress ~ the
laldermen's room. The, subjects. there
We're English and betaifyA The Discus
$. of the former WIS opened hy Pro
r * ,r A. ]. Roberts 81 Colby and the
IL !, by David s. Wheeler Of cobuFn'
IT. ( were lively and very instrueti1e,
Fot. S followed Mr.. Wheeler on n
botany question and a very proN :
able forenoon ives spent in that of-
paItment.
The afternoon session was a sehe's''