Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1906-01-18
CONGO Township Teachers
Inttitutc.

A most pleasant and profitable local
Institute was held in Concord church
on the afternoon and evening of Janu-
ary 18th.
The afternoon session was given up
largely to discussions on practical sub
iects by the township teachers. After
devotional exercises. conducted By Rev.
w. 81. Sloan, Miss Emma Wick read
clear and forcible paper on Practical
Teaching. and Miss Dassa Mckinney
discussed the Play Hour; after which
bright and instructive talk on Rheto-
ricals was given by Miss Nora Fleming,
and Mr.. Will King read paper on Ge-
ography.
The interest in the meeting was shown
bv the readiness with which those pres
ent took part in the open discussions
following the papers. 1t was also the
privilege of those present at the after
noon session to hear Mr.. Victor A.
Barnhart, Principal of the Evans City
schools, give a practical address ON
.Don'ts.'' 1t was a matter of regret
| that Mr. Barnhart could not main ana
assist in the evening program
A large and appreciative audience as
sembled in the evening to greet the
speakers who were kind enough TO come
| from distance This session was pre-
sided over by Mr.. A. E. Cochran OF
Hooker and the opening address, The
| value of an Education, was gwen Dy
MIR. 3. G. Elliott, Principal of the Con-
cord High School At the close OF his
enthusiastic address he warmly well
coined all those who, by their presence,
showed their interest in educational
work.
The response by Mr.. W. P. Day OF
| Buena Vista was appreciated not only
| for its eloquence, but also because In IL
he heartily congratulated the citizens
| of Concord township and especially their
School Board for their progresslvenes
in establishing Township High School
Mr.. J. Orr Mclaughlin, Prin. OF North
| Washington Institute, give very COM
prehensive and scholarly address on
| History and the best methods OF teacn-
| ing it. He impressed upon the lnstruc-
| tors present the necessity OF teacnlnS
the philosophy of history as well as tne
facts. Mr.. Frank Baird, Prin. OF west
Sunbury Academy, in talking on Cur
rent Events showed wide knowledge
of his subject and gave some most val
liable suggestions in making this essen
tial part of school work success.
The subject of Literature was apiy
discussed by Mr. A. w. Kelly, Prin. OF
the Eau Claire High School. He spoke
of the influence upon history ana maue
this clear 10y showing how Longteiio"
Building the Ship" influenced the ac-
tions of. Lincoln at very critical time
in our country's life. Mr.. McMeekin
came from Chicora to speak on the du-
ties of directors. As the hour was late
Mr.. McMeekin suggested that he would
save time by addressing the directors
present in private conference while the
program proceeded, but the audience
was not willing to lose his pointed re-
marks. He urged the directors TO De
courageous not only in shutting out
anything detrimental to the schools, but
also in unfolding teachers and methods
which prove themselves worthy OF sup
port He also regretted the present low
salaries which make the most efficient
work almost impossible. Mr. Barkman,
Prip. of the Chicora schools, was in the
audience and spoke briefly on the I'M
portance of enforcing the compulsory
school laws He gave other heiptui
suggestions when called upon on In gen
eral discussion.
| The committee in charge was most
fortunate in being able to secure Sups
r. S. Penfield, whose address alone
would have made the Institute a sue
cess. His address on The Ideal Teach
er" showed a deep insight into, the es
sentials of real success in the the teacn-
er. He pointed ont the mistake maze
by many School Boards in basing tnelr
decisions upon characteristics rather
than character; and that while many
things are desirable. forcible person
ality is essential Throughout his ex-
cellent address, which abounded III hu-
NOR and instructive suggestions, For
Penfeld had the close and sympatherlc
attention of his audience.
The success of the Institute re1ects
great credit upon the committee I'D
charge, Mr.. Cochran and Mr Eiiiott
by whose efforts the speakers were Sc
| cured and the township was given an
| unusual privilege. A LISTENER