The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-10-27

|.!'.sss ~ asasiss
THE TEACHERS
All OF the teachers of the State who
nre alive to their own true interests
and their veal as Il body must by
/ this time understand and appreciate
THE organization and history OF their
own association, and the fine work
which 1T has already accomplished, and
| the bright future that lies before It
1t would seem superiiuous. therefore
to lipger on this phase OF the assO- /
cia.ion's life and activity The main I
and most salient question now -. !
what shall we do to ma Ike the asso- |
citation permanent, growing, enthu-
| s!astic alert, energetic and successful |
| body Of men and : tnen?" This Is the |
crux of Its present situation, and we
| must face these regpon sib ilities and
I mako the future OF this great organ
| eaton what the occasion denanGs and
what II can be made by the active |
| vigilant, earnest and capable efforts |
and manage cement OF the teachers and
| friends of the teachers In the State
bright. fruitful and prosperous. "A
| Before attempting to suggest how
/ these great results may be attained, we
/ would consider this association from
one viewpoint, that is often the pedes-
! tai on which the decrler of the assoc
citation stands to declare his supposed
/ OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES has the association
lever done for the tcachers?"
! We state, emphatically, 1t has done
4 much. To state all that 1t has done
| would consume too much space. We
can onlY make broad generalization
II these advantages and benefits. Some
i ~ .1t.ar1 fof vxs a rps
1 l. 1t has built up professional
| esprit dc corps and cooperation among
! the teachers, which never, In the slight
| est degree existed before Its organizu-
tlon.
/ alt has exhibited to the whole State,
and even to the teachers themselves.
i what a fine body OF men and women
l they are; and has thus Won the SYM
1 patty, the co-operntive assistance and
Il admiration of the people generally.
4 g. 1t has caused the teachers 70 begin
Ito look upon their calling as pro-
!, fessioh. and to impress others with
the same view.
u 4. 1t has put the teachers on their
inett,e and greatly improved them us
body.
.. II has shown the teachers that
they have leaders of ability and force.
and has enlisted the talents and abtli-
Il ties of other educators in their behnlf.
s. IT has produced socielity and
!, Intercourse which have been most de-
lightful and advantageous.
III Z. 1t has taken many teachers out
Of the common routine OF life and put
them In juxtapositlon with others; and
ti,is intermlngling of courtesy thought,
a learning. experience, sympathy and
t work. has been most prolific of good
; works." and tile betterment OF the
: whole teaching force In the near fu-
. ture will be the direct effect of this
> | feature of the organization.
al S. 1t has won friends at court and
| he sympathetic ears OF the Board of
I Education, the Department OF Pul lie
: instruction., and the various branches
I the State government which have in
Largo any work pertinentto the puts
: lie schools, are alert and attentive. and
the minds and hearts behind these oift-
cial organisms beat with full accord
opes.
%. II is brttering the schools by the
, ! digestive plans, methods, courses and
ways and means" which are being
2 discussed. canvassed, debated and dis
posed OF by and through the initiative
work OF the teachers and those in
spired by or working in cooperation
with them.
+ 10. 1t has built up and fostered an
I.lctlve and potential sentiment fer the
. .,s E -
: increase of teachers salaries.
I.@It has brought about n. strong
sentiment In favor OF establishing 4
ension system for disabled or super
9 ltannuated teachers, which II pushed
sill result In the ins titution of such q
beneficent system.
G Sl2. 1t has opened the eyes OF teach
: rs to their own Importance and inllu-
Q ence, and put courage and power IN
= many Il heart that was about to
! despair.
"a 81, it'has made the teachers u strong
!, 4 compact body, and hencr inc or The
great educational factors at work. II
!. the State.
7 II. 1t eliminated In the great con
s. ference held at Richmond In November
!, december. 1906 In which teachers tooF
!, 4 and held with distinction n cu-eGuu
Il aud coordinate position In that ma s.
\ 'ary educational symposium, which
I, shded to the dignity and influence O
the teachers profession. and Is des
tined to materially rebound to thu
prosperity and potency or this power
!. full profession In tho future
IA Many more things crowd upon tn
E nlnd as we View this field, which Y
e 'ich wifi, a wonderful harvest that hal
If been produced by skilfM t.llage ans
-slwatcred with 1.-THE sweat from 5th
~ rows and, oftentimes, with TIL
ia tears from tho eyes, or tho seven thou
Is sand white teachers or this Common
al wealth. But Sit is, useless to Slnulttpl!
q these splend III res sui ~, on to al illt
s the future" and predict ilat sthls as
80 isoclatlon is to- 70 in the time tnS come
o. TIC question proponnded lin! the begin
q, lining Of this article, n hat ( shall W
lnent growing. ent huaias Il, alert, en-