The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-05-26


| through Local Teachers Association
! The very assembling of teachers ant
\ their organization in any county OF
/ town Ovcreomcs tho inertia that Woult
| fasten us down. we get out into the
| current and feel the friction of pro
! gress The Local Association becomes
\ a branch of the State organization
| and tie teachers are M longSi Isolated
they have some idea of what others are
| doing. But organization is not all
| there should be meetings of the loca
association as often as possible
Correct Principle.
Geographical conditions will no
! doubt determine the size and nature oil
/ the meeting and this is right j! al
the teachers In a county cannot at
1 semble In n short time at central
| point, perhaps those.n one or two dis
tricts can do so. They may be located
| so that schools could be closed at
! twelve O'Clock on Friday afternoon
/ and by two o'clock the teachers could
be together. This is better where it
can be done. but where it is impractica-
] BILE you will not regret taking a Satur-
! day for It. You will not regret doing
something that will benefit YOU ana
tend to increase the efficiency of your
work We must keep on the upward
move and in this respect we can be of
great help to one another. Tho value
of the meeting will largely depend on
the number OF teachers who take an
active part in it, All should do so.
What Should Ec Done.
short papers can be prepared and
questions opened up for discussion
from what is after all the most practi-
cal standpoint-that of the teacher act
ualiy engaged in her work THE art
of teaching GROWS up in the school
room" Previous preparation is not to
he undercstimatcd. but the school is
the place for the teacher to make her
ideals real; and il she is to grow with
FER work and keep open minded, she
needs the constant contact of other
minds OF equal calibre with her own.
These discussions of school work are of
great vuluo to teachers. 1t has been
my pleasure to be connected with sew
eral local ASSOCIATIONS in different parts
of the state, and never attended
meeting without learning something.
Harmony ana system.
The Local Association makes for har-
mony and system in the schools. i
helps the weak teacher while it gives
the strong one wider field of work
and growth. 1t gives an opportunity
for the superintendent to come into
closer contact with the work of teach
ers and enables him to even up and
adjust matters better. If some teachers
are weak on certain subjects, perhaps
he has others who happen 20 be strong
in the same particular. Il discussion
of these subjects would be helpful 1t
is valuable in introducing new sub
Jccts. as agriculture, music, drawing,
and manual training. 1t Is of value in
solving any peculiar local problems,
In fact, the value of the Teachers
Association in these respects is so well
recognized that the organization is no
longer a merely desirable Thing, but
a necessity.
The Social Phase.
The social phase is a point in its
favor Teachers who are working in
the same locality ought to know each
other professionally and socially. 4
spirit of this kind among teachers
would be apt to produce a like spirit
in the schools among the children. 1t
adds to the personal experience OF the
teacher and helps to bring out the
bestS points IN her personality, altru-
ism, tact, cheerfulness, interest In the
present. and the art of conversation
and courtesy, which cannot fail to give
life and vital interest to much that
would otherwise be insipid. 1t is a
fact everywhere lamented that there
is such II lack of professional spirit
among teachers, when there is no.
where greater need for it.
Due to Old Ideas.
The fact that it has no such strong
hold upon teaching as upon other pro-
fessions is probably due in part to the
old idea that almost anybody that
had fair education was qualified TO
teach, and the acceptance by many
teachers OF this idea. But this is pass
ing. and the belief in professional
training and actual practice under
skilled guidance as well as mere
knowledge OF the branches 10 be
taught is becoming more and more
widespread and nowhere NOR SO than
among teachers.
Inspiring Address.
One Of the most inspiring addresses
nave heard recently was by the late
Captain Nawter. He spoke eloquently
Of The noble work Of tho Virginia
Pubic SCHOOL Teachers and he urged
:hat they be given d better chance. He
believed that the march of progress
would speedily replace old ideals and
oiG systems with newer and better
ones. %: lie declared that the nobility
teacher Was . quality that we wished
fever to lose. and he believed that the
teachers III our state. 20 rGsGy 10 re-
celTe helpful suggestions and 50 will
i1g - 20 ahead under wise direction.
#91l2. wjth proper opportoaities, soon
yaaaepSs " fully to the newe, re-
g1-retnsntS
Is Sot Selfish.
The Lpral TeacherE' Associations
does not stand for selfish aggrandize-
n.azt Or anything that is selfish. II
staa4s Tor thorough and raore cfIcien,
training for spirit ~ Willingness
go pten -EasucedneEa; Il opposes iso-
-6-floa and az narrowing Influences:
= 'fakes for itie harmony NJ local edu-
49, oaai iDrees aad 10 bringing teach
ssH l9g%taer for their mutual help
"'sa pleasure u makes teaching NOR.
ssi+aeitYe ald satisfying"
D ss