The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1905-04-13
The School
Problems Of the District School.
JOHN WRIT DIEsMoRE. Bditor
KEEPING UP WITH THE TINES.

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KEEPING Up WITH THE TINES.
Every one who enters the profes-
sion should keep himself posted on
the things that are being thought and
done in the teaching world. This is
not only his duty but his privilege.
II is not a question of low salary and
whether he can afford it, but rather
can one afford TO do otherwiseg We
will consider several ways of keeping
abreast with the times in the follow
ing order:
]. By attending associations and
cOnrentiOns. Never fail TO attend an
association that is within your reach
aud never fail to take some part
when you do attend. BE present at
every session and hear everything
that is said. Many who attend as
sociations are led away by side at
fractions. Resist all such tempta
tons. The papers and speeches will
not be dry and uuinteresting il you
are eager to learn. The program
should be studied before hand
and some thinking done upon
the subjects for discussion. Then
when the proper time comes il you
have something really worth saying
say it. Say il berieAy, concisely and
as though you meant it aud then
stop. Never talk for the sake OF
talking There are plenty of Others
TO do that, and never speak except to
some point which should be clearly
stated so that all may know what you
are driving at.
Take notes Of all and afterwards
look them over and if possible re.
hearse them to some one who could
not attend.
2. Educational Journals. The
progressive teacher takes at least two
or three educational journals. He
must have the state journal TO keep
in touch with the schools and teach
ers Of the state. IL should be read
carefully aud when he attends the
state association he will find many
there whom he already knows
thorough its pages. He will want
the best general school journal that
he can secure and, one on primary and
grammar grade teaching These
journals contain a world Of limits and
suggestions and should be studied
daily and with care and application
made Of such things as are practical
BILE.
3. By risiting Schools. Next to
learning by doing is learning by
seeing done. A teacher should visit
some other school as often as once a
month If possible. We are all liable
10 get into ruts and the surest way
10 get out may be to see some one
else travelling more pleasantly and
rapidly on smooth ground. A stu
dent such as every teacher ought to
be can learn something from seeing
another teach whether the work be
first class or not.
4. Summer Schools. One must
get away occasionally to the sources
Of knowledge. We must take in as
we'll as give out. There are several
excellent summer schools within
reach and every teacher should avail
himself of their advantages. 1t may
be necessary TO 60 several hundred
miles to reach one Of the best, but it
will pay you. Better go TO one good
Que than 10 two or three poor or
ordinary ones.
.. The County Institute. In
Kentucky every teacher is required
to attend the county institute. If he
does it from a sense of duty and of
privilege it is certain TO be beneficial.
If he goes merely because he is re-
quired to he is not likely to receive
much good. II depends far more on
the spirit of the one attending than
on the instructor or county superin-
tendent. IL one is alert and eager
TO learn he will be constantly roaming
upon new ideas that will be helpful.
Such listener is a great help to the
instructor and TO the entire institute.