Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1907-12-20
Teachers Institute.

The Teachers Institute for this county has
been in session during this week and closed
to-day. The Institute has been characterized
az an intensely "working institute" but
there have been interspersed certain features
of entertainment which equal, il they do not
exceed, anything Of the kind ever had in
this county. Some Of the ablest public school
authorities in the country are on the pro-
gram, although DR.. George M. Twltmyer
and DR.. William K. Chancellor were ootn
absent on account Of illness, but others pre-
sent admirably took their places.
There is one feature which deserves special
mention and commentator. For part oil
each day the teachers were divided into two
sections. The teachers in the graded schools
were all in one section and all the teachers
Of the district schools were in another; and
each section had lectures appropriate to the
present work of their respective classes.
During the balance Of each day all OF the
teachers were together, and there were ad-
dresses alike appropriate for the considera-
ton of all of the teachers.
Superintendent Earle B. Wood, who ar
ranged the program and was In Immediate
charge of the Institute supplied the teachers
with note books, which were required to be
turned in each evening for the purpose OF
correction and suggestions. 1t Is understood
that these methods have resulted in marked
Improvement in attendance, interest and at
tention of the teachers. and it 10 believed
good results will follow in the form of in
creased benefits from the Institute.
The music of the Institute was in charge
of Prot. I. l.. Gibson, Of the State Normal
School, the author of a number OF excellent
song books. Both in his music and his va
rious addresses to the teachers, Professor
Gibson made q profound impression.
DR. Charles b. Gilbert, former Superin-
tendent of Buffalo and Rochester, New York,
schools and now leading textbook writer
and general lecturer and platform speaker,
is one of the most scholarly and interesting
men who have been to this county. He re-
manned three days and made nine addresses
on practical school subjects and one lecture,
which was delivered on Tuesday night to
large audience, on democracy and Educa-
ton - This lecture was one of the most in
spring and soul-stirring addresses Of the
Institute.
DR.. James H. Van Sickle, the able Super
intendent of Schools of Baltimore City, de-
livered one address on the first day OF the
Institute on "Co-operative Effort in Profess
sional Improvement, which was helpful,
instructive, suggestive and entertaining. He
expressed himself as pleased with the pro-
gressive methods employed here.
DR.. G. W. Ward, Principal OF the State
Normal School, delivered two addresses on
Monday, which were well received.
DR.. N. Bates Stephens, State Superiuten-
dent Of Education, arrived on Wednesday
and remained until the close of the Institute
and made four addresses. DR.. Stephens,
having often been here, has, by his attractive
personality and ability, become general
favorite among the teachers of the county.
He spoke on "The Teachers Problems, The
Course of Study and School Libraries
Superintendent Oscar b. Coblentz, of Fred
erick county, and Edward A. Browning, OF
Garrett county, were also present. Inc
former delivered strong address on Arith-
metic, and the latter able discourses on SPELL
ing and School Discipline.
Misses Ella " Kicker and Minnie l.. Davis,
instructors at the state Normal School, were
the only ladies on the program and acquitted
themselves most creditably. Miss Kicker hav-
ing taught one year In the Montgomery Coun-
ty High School was welcomed by her many
warm friends here.
Prot. X. @. Atticks, instructor in Penma n
ship at the Baltimore Business College and
author of the Atticks System Of Penmanship,
gave several short talks on writing. What
he does not know about writing is not worth
knowing.
Professor Earle B. Wood addressed the In
slitute on Importance Of Reading, The Teach
Senator Blair Lee made an able and force
full address on The Evils of Prejudice, and
Mr.. George H. Lamar, President OF the Ooun-
ty School Board, delivered carefully pre-
pared address on Public Office is Public
Trust, In which he discussed the relation OF
the school board and its policies toward the
teaching force. He said that the first con-
alteration of all school officials must be the
welfare of the children, and that the teachers
are recog lized on the principle of merit He
advised the teachers that harmony was es SEN
tial to success, and urged them to instil and
cultivate worthy ambitions In the children
One Of the most pleasant features of the In
stitute was the reception on Monday evening,
which was enlivened by the rendition OF the
amateur play, Parted by Patience, as render
ed by Rockville talent in which Mrs. N. d.
Ofutt, Misses Virgie and Mary Brewer and
Messrs. Edward Greene and Bache Albert took
ms