The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-11-17
LAST DAYS OF
WAYNE co. INSTITUTE
Instructors Telling Us What to Do
and What Not to Do.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON.

being "A Teachers Problems"
We meet problems all along; first
the problem of preparation for the
work-the examinations to be pass
ed, the securing position. Then
come the problems of the school
room. OF these there are three
which we must consider, first, school
government; second, instruction;
third, inspiration. Most of our
young teachers fail in the first. The
power of governing and the faculty
of teaching together make strong
teacher. This power of government
must include heart power. Keep in
touch with your pupil. Another ele-
ment Is good common sense, wisdom
in dealing with the little affairs of
school life. Still another is present
mindedness. Be able to go on with
your work and still be conscious of
every thing that goes on.
Another quality is self-control or
will power. Have confidence in
your own ability and have confidence
in your boys and girls.
To solve the problem of instruc-
tion we must know those whom we
teach; know what we would teach
and know how to teach it.
Always make daily preparation.
Never adopt a method but adapt it
to your own needs.
A teacher has not done her full
duty until she inspires the boy or
girl to higher ideals of education
and life. If you have the qualities
of manhood or womanhood you
should have an unconscious influence
will go forth to make the boys and
girls nobler men and women. DR..
Rigdon's talk was on Education as
Art" Art includes the feeling of
beauty, form and thought. Some
one has said, art is feeling run
through thought and fixed in form"
Education to be art must observe
certain principles. The principle of
unity and of simplicity. Then moth
ing is great as piece of art unless
it has reserve. We should speak
with reserve and the greater the
reserve power and knowledge of the
teacher, the better will be his teach
ing. Then comes the principle of
suggestion. AS great picture in
spires by the suggestion rather than
by the details, so the artist teacher
will teach using this power of sug-
gestion.
DR.. Gordinier discussed "Chas.
Dickens as an Educator"
We all accept Dickens as a great
szk 4 L l..
Gator.
He studied Froebel and introduce
ed the kindergarten into England.
He took up the ideas of great educa-
tors and gave them wings with his
marvellous pen.
He knew that if the people of
England understood the evils of the
schools they would have the good
sense to find remedy; so he intro
duces us to thirty-eight schools in
his work. In Nicholas Nickleby the
school of Squeers, the Cruel. In
Dombey and Son, Blimber, who un-
dertook to teach them everything;
and another with whom we are all
familiar, was Gradgrind who loved
facts.
A large audience was present at
the entertainment in the evening at
the Lyric.
FRIDAY FORENOON.
Rev. H. Coenen of the German Lu-
theran church, conducted the de-
votional exercises on Friday morn
ing.
After music DR.. Rigdon spoke on
Mental Efficiency"
Efficiency is partly original capac-
ity and partly it's right use. We
cannot change the first but the sec
ond is what concerns us. We must
observe certain rules for the right
use of the powers with which nature
has endowed us. We should regular
ly alternate work and rest. More
people over rest than over work
rest, rust and rot.
There should also be correct as
sociation and an optimistic attitude
toward men and women and the
world.
Prof. Gortner's subject was A
Professional Teacher" The profess
sional teacher is one who is born
with a special aptitude for teaching
and has the best possible training.
Many states require common
school course, a good high school
course and at least two years of
pedagogical training. In the state
of Pennsylvania five thousand new
teachers are needed every year. Our
thirteen Normal Schools furnish
about fifteen hundred. Another
hundred are furnished by our col
leges. We must work gradually for
a body of trained teachers in this
State. Make teaching your busi-
ness.
The Professional teacher needs
professional courtesy. Be loyal to
each other and to those in authority.
Be careful of your professional rep
utation. Be growing teacher, the
teacher who stands still stagnates.
Read professional books and jour-
nails. Build up a professional IL