Amador ledger. (Jackson, Amador County, Calif.) 1875-19??, 1908-05-29
HOW TO RUN AN INSTITUTE.

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state on the best ways to handle the
county teachers institute. This is
an important matter, for IS costs the
state lot of money and a lot of
time. Mr. llyatt's advice is lively
and vigoi Gus and will be of interest
to others than aperintendents and
teachers.
"One of the most important ques
fIons a county superintendent has to
consider in preparing tor an institute
is the selection of a place of meet
ing. Very much of the comfort and
success of the session depends upon
it. Masonic or Odd Fellows hall, or
some similar fraternal rallying place
generally makes a comfortable and
houie-like meeting place. 1t is not
too large, it is generally we'll lighted
and ventilated, and is comfortably
fitted up with pleasant and cordial
expression. A good school room is
all right too, when it is prepared for
the occasion with thoughtful care.
But Heaven preserve us from the
vast, frigid and barn-like spaces of
the theatres, Kinks, town halls etc,
that so frequently are used for this
purpose. The audience collects
around the edges in discouraged
fringe; the lecturers vainly eXpend
their energy upon the empty spaces
in front; the wind flaps the aged cur
tains and time worn draperies with
chilling effect; filthy floors and
broken chairs add TO the desolation.
have often been afraid that a vigil
ance committee would get after the
superintendent. but so far my fears
have never materialized.
| Another thing, the superintendent
ought always attend to the placing
of some kind of blackboard in the
hall. Hardly any institute instructor,
teacher or otherwise, does not at
times want to illustrate thought or
point fact by some mark on black
board. OF course he can get along
without it IN sort Of way, il he
has to. But dozens OF times see the
people on duty EN- barrassed, habber-
gasted and nonplusssd by turning to
the blackboard and finding it not
there. | always look to see il the
superintendent sinks through the
floor or gets struck by lightning, but
have been disappointed up to date.
The law does not prescribe that
the county superintendent shall go
to meet his institute people at the
train. 1t Is trou blesome task to do
lso; there is no real need of it; a
traveller who can't find his way to a
hotel by himself is mighty poor
man or woman. The superintendent
needs all his time and energy for
other things during this period, for
he is the hardest worked and worst
worried one in the whole bunch. Yet
despite the fact that the above OBJ
servations are individually true, it
gives stranger an indescIlb badly
kindly and gracious atmosphere,
! when he steps off from the train and
meets a friendly face and cordial
hand grasp and helpful guide to a
suitable haven. And it pays, after
all. The visitor does more work, and
better work, and he does the town
more good in all his future travels
far away. There is nothing like it,
to keep people in good humor.
/ Am pretty hard on you, superin-
tendents? That's because | love you.
IT you weren't worth it, l wouldn't
waste words upon you. think the
superintendent of this state are
among the salt of the earth, that they
are enterprising, eager to do we'll,
and tit to lead the forward progress OF
their people. They have a truly
noble opportunity to make an i'm.
print on the future. Upon their
faith, their enthusiasm, everything
depends. They are talking and work.
ing and thinking and writing all up
and down this great state, doing all
they eau, each in his way, to make
the people of the future better and
wiser and happier. take off my hal
to them with all my heart! Remem
Der that's the way l always really
feel, no matter how hard my words
may seem.
l am gradually coming to the opin
ion that a live days institute held al
home is the best and most helpful
sort IN most cases. l know thai
teachers often urge the superintend
cut to cut the institute down as shor