Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1905-07-26
LOCAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATIONS.

University of Virginia, it was
gratifying to the Commission to
learn that there was already organ
lied in the State about forty-eight
local Education Associations. Many
of these are the result of the May
Campaign; some, however. are
year or more old, such as the fif-
teen of Rockingham county, those
of Rockbridge and of several other
localities.
There is no possible doubt that
these Associations, composed as
they are of the patrons, teachers,
superintendent and other citizens,
Will prove a vitalizing force in
each community where they may
be established. The teachers want
them; the patrons, in many cases,
want them, and the superintendent
who wants one has simply to go to
work and he has one in due course.
1t Is psychological fact that when
woman becomes interested in
any one thing sooner or later, gen
orally sooner, there begins a stir
ring and small commotion gradu-
ally spreading in ever widening
circles as woman after woman
takes up the interest. This does
not imply escape for the men: they
are even more necessary TO the
efficacy of the movement and its
firm establishment. Moreover. each
man and woman owes this debt of
active interest to the school in his
community.
The power which makes the
school go is the sentiment which
exists in the community in favor
of it. If it be hearty and intelli-
gent the school will do much for
the children. If this interest and
sympathy and cooperation be
wanting the school will fall but
little short of failure. No school
Is doing its best work until it gets
all the interest from the three
sources to which it is entitled.
Those three sources being superin-
tendent, teacher and community.
There are faithful teachers and
faithful superintendent in many
places in this Commonwealth: let
each community come forward and
show Its interest and faithfulness.
Neither teacher nor superintendent
can do everything for a school;
they need the people, and in the
end the people reap the benefit.
! believe the people of Virginia
are becoming profoundly stirred
on the subject of better things for
the schools and this brings to the |
superintendent the great opportu-
nifty to seize this spirit of enthusi-
asm and to resolve it into organi-
cation of local Associations. I'M
many cases he may meet discour-
agement, but he will have the help
of the eternal woman of that
he may be sure;-discOuragement
seem to encourage women, strange
to say, and let us be thankful that
this Is true. One of the best ele-
ments gained in an effort for i'm
provements is the strength which
follows the struggle.
On the other hand there are GER
tain changes which must be made
In the scope and character of the
work done by the public schools, if
they are to receive the sympathetic
and unstinted support of the public.
These reforms are of such a nature
that they can be most successfully
wrought into the school system by
personal and local influences.
Therefore the Cooperative Educa-
ton Commission of Virginia urges
on each community the importance
of forming local Education Associa-
tons towards the end of securing
interest.
A few practical suggestions on
this point may be of value. First
interest the people in our SCHOOL,:
then invite them to assemble and
interest them yet more; resolve the
meeting into an executive commit Z
tee; appoint secretary protem:
elect officers; fix annual dues: take
up some one definite work for the
help and Improvement of your par
lion 10 r cokOol. IL III =.