Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-02-15
THE TEACHERS MEETING.
Enrolment of More Than Hundred
at Meeting Last Saturday.

The teachers of the county were
very fortunate last Saturday in hav-
ing such beautiful day for their
meeting. Though the weather was
somewhat cold, the sky was clear, the
wind still, and the roads were dry
and smooth. The large attendance
from all parts of the county shows a
zeal and enthusiasm for the work that
goes a long way toward insuring
success. The program was strong
and well carried out. The first paper
was presented by Supt +. j. Mantz,
who gave some of the best methods of
creating an interest. BY way of in
PRODUCTION he made plea for the
study of Psychology by the teacher
on the ground that TO be able TO create
an interest teacher must have some
thing more than devices. The teacher
needs To know the pupils mind, his
own mind and the matter presented to
the pupil for study and assimilation.
He must not only understand the
matter himself but be able to make a
selection suitable for the pupils in his
charge. Mr.. Mantz urged the neces-
sity of securing the good will of both
parent and child in order to arouse.
the best interest on the part OF the
latter. To give prizes as some teach
ers do, he thinks an improper incen-
tive, and one that is likely todisappear
as soon as the prize is not given.
THE quiet teacher" said MIR. Mantz,
"who plans her work and follows out
her plans is the teacher who generally
has and holds interest in her school.
She arouses their curiosity, she leads
them step by step, shows them the
way, and they progress slowly, safely,
and surely to a higher and nobler;
life" This paper aroused much in
terest and called out lively discus
sion.
The afternoon session was opened
by vocal solo by Miss Nora /.
Brown teacher of music in the city
schools, which was appreciated by the
audience. Supt. f. A. Minis of the
schools Of Extra then read his paper
upon Incentives TO Higher Education
in the Grades" which gave evidence
of careful preparation. Mr.. Minis
said that an investigation among ten
thousand men of distinction showed
that those having but common school
education had but one chance in nine
thousand; those with High School
education had twenty two chances
and those from college had two hun
dred chances for success. If High
School education pays so much better
than that from the common school |
and college education so many times
better than that from the High School,
what incentives can be offered to the
pupils under our care. !. The teach
er should show an interest In the
pupils future and try to rouse his
ambition. 2. Talk High School to
the parents-either see them or write
to them. 3. Arouse interest in ma
tural laws by Nature Study in the
grades. 4. Study of current events
in the grades in connection with geo.
graphy and history. 5. Mention the
High School in way to attract the
pupils. 6. Arouse discussion among
the pupils. Z. Study the elements OF
agriculture. The country school is
the farmers school and the boys and
girls should be taught to see and hear
and feel the cause and effect of the
laws ofnature in their operation about
them. s. Have 9Th grade graduating
exercises, which will have a stimulat-
ing effect and arouse an interest In
favor of taking more extended
course.
The paper by Miss Frances Burns
on the Importance of Nature Study"
was highly spoken of and We regret
we did not get to hear it. The one by
Miss Ella. Stearns on English in the
Grades Preparatory to the High
SCHOOL, was presented in her attract
i've style and gave number of sug.
gestions that teachers could put TO
practical use in their work. The dis
cussions by the others on the program
Mr.. III. M. Stiles, Miss Ellen Mcclure,
Mrs. Dena Statzell, and Miss Lillian
Halford, showed good preparation
and held the attention of the teachers
and others that were present. OF the
address of Prof Barrett we have
spoken elsewhere in this issue