Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-07-05
NOT ACCIDENTAL.

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i -&a :. rsf28 p =
II Many citizens are surprised at the
1 unusual midsummer activity about the
State university caused by the pres
Il ence of over eight hundred Utah
school teachers who are preparing for
their work Of next year by taking
courses specially planned for them. at
this institution. But this noteworthy
situation is neither surprising nor ac-
cidental
school is engaged in its most
useful sphere Of activity when it aids
the teachers and, through their i'm
| provement, uplifts the common schools
of the commonwealth that fosters and
encourages the work which it offers.
It is both natural and proper that
the schools should look to this
| institution for the help which
progressive teachers naturally seek
for the Improvement Of their
work in education. The entire
community will be the principal beneti-
ciary of the movement among teach
ers to pursue new or higher courses.
The immediate benefit is to the teacher
who takes this advanced or specialized
work; but the Indirect advantage is to-
the pupils Of their schools.
The teacher Is the school, Brick and
stone buildings, good desks, modern
books and equipment, are all aids to
first class teaching; but the wide
awake, conscientious, and we'll trained
teacher is Indispensable to the progress
| Of any school. There have been good
schools without good buildings, but
not without good teachers. And since
the school children OF today are the
citizens OF tomorrow, the interest of
the State in the adequate training of
teachers In the public schools, is self
evident
The response Of the teachers to the
summer work offered to them by the.
University is only natural No longer
confined mainly to textbook Lessons,
the work in education given by the
State institution Tor higher learning Is
appreciated and patronized, being in.
the highest degree practical, helpful,
and uplifting
Much has been made this year and
last of physical education This fact,
Prof. Stewart explains. Is not due to
any belief on the part Of the faculty
OF instruction that physical education
Is superior to book study, hut results
from candid recognition of the fact
r,Pt nI, {I/,,,
emphasized 1T is to find its place as
part of the exercises must be mingled
with the periods of mental activity to
such degree that the we'll known ideal
of "a sound mind in sound body"
can be practically realized in school
life For the natural and almost in
evitable tendency of scholastic pur-
suits and of school life in general is
to overtax the mental and to neglect
the physical powers OF the student.
The most eminent talent in Ameri-i
ca engaged In physical education was
therefore secured, SO that the best pos
sible aspects of this work might be
given directly to Utah teachers. In
future years other lines of school work
will be given a similar ernphasis, the
am being to continue to press the new
thought and methods by special facul-=
ties of instruction, without weakening
In any degree the regular University.
work in other lines I.
Thus the emphasis, first upon one
and then upon some other aspect OF
! school work, Is not to be taken to inn
PITY that the branch thus made pron-
nent for the time being is the main
thing in education. Such selection is
meant solely to show up the branch
chosen in It's most attractive light. In
order that 1t may be more quickly and
effectively made part of the regular
school instruction hereafter The se-
lection each year Of some special topic.
| we are further informed is not acci-
dental, but vii, follow certain regular
alterations, as the times may seem to
demand.
And while the favor with which this
/ effort of the University Is received, IS
no accident, but only a natural result
under the circumstances: while the
courses TO be offered by the various de-
partments are likewise the result OF
careful selection by the faculty. we
are reminded that the University itself
| Is not an accidental creation of the
people, but an institution provided for
and established by law as early as the
year 1880. The charter dates back to
about two and a half years subsequent
to the first settlement of the land. then
1 Mexican soil, which was soon to be-
come the Territory and finally the
State of Utah; One OF the first en-
beavers of the Pioneers was for educa-
ton and a university was present in
their thoughts as part of he system.
which they put into operation as soon
as they settled here.
Nor is the present magnificent loca-
i ton Of the State institution. one of