River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-12-15
EDUCATIONAL MEETINGS.

What was probably the best teacher
institute ever held in the county was IN
session at the Ellsworth High School
during the last two weeks Of July. Out
Of an enrolment of 90 there was an aver
age daily attendance of nearly 81. One
Of the most important features of the in
stitute was a series of model class exer-
cises in primary reading, conducted by
Miss Abbie j. Terpening. This work
was discussed in the reading sections fol-
lowing Each teacher was requested to
make q sample reading chart, and at the
request Of Prof w. D. Parker, the secre-
tary Of the Wisconsin Educational Com
mission at the Worlds Fair, who visited
us, about dozen Of the best charts were
sent to the Worlds Fair
We also held several very successIul
teachers associations during the year
During the present school year we are
trying a new plan of association work
A series of five groups of associations,
with four meetings in each group, has
been advertised. At these meetings we
will take regularly outlined course of
study in school management and liter
ature in addition to the ordinary associa@
ton work. If possible the schools where
the meetings are to be held will be in
session for a part Of the day, for the
purposes of observation, after which the
work as observed will De discussed by
About forty of our teachers attended the
Northwestern Wisconsin Teachers Asso-
citation at Eau Claire last month. which
is certainly very commemorate consider
ing the poor railway facilities in this
county.
Attendance upon all Of these meetings
is a source of considerable expense to
teachers. but it is certainly money well
expended. The teacher, who thus keeps
in touch with her profession and aims to
fit herself to give better service for the
money paid her should be and is given
the preference in the choice of positions.
There is no "stand stir IN the teaching
profession A teacher either improves or
retrogrades. He who teaches no better
this year than he did last year, has
taught one year too long.
Probably no educational movement in
stituted in the county in recent years Will
prove of greater practical value to our
schools than that of the school board
conference The first meeting of this KIND
was held on Feb. 20, 1904, and was at
tended by about fifty school officers from
different parts of the county. Such ques-
school equipment, important school laws,
the employment of teachers and the heat
ing and ventilation of school rooms, were
discussed. Prof J. F. Sims delivered an
interesting address on the question of the
Consolidation of Schools and the Trans
courage me before the meeting was held.
claiming that school officers would not
attend These claims proved unfOunded,
however, and at the close of the meeting
those present voted unanimously In favor
Of continuing the meetings. The next
meeting will therefore be held on Jan. 28
1905 AS you gentlemen are all interested
in the progress OF our schools, and many
of you are school officers, l earnestly ask
you to attend the next meeting and urge
the other school officers In your local.
ties to do likewise. Your example Will do
much toward making these meetings a
success.