Los Angeles herald., 1910-12-18

her standards and her results. Not
only do institutes remind her afresh
each year that those at the head OF
our educational systems are also try
ing to work up to her standards, but
she finds, in discussing her troubles
with other teachers, that the same
discrepancies prevail elsewhere, or that
others have even harder experiences.
So that finally the group of teachers
who startod out to cry over their woes
are laughing heartily and realizing
that the troublesome phase of educa-
tlon is only like the same phase of any
work-a mere concomitant, not to be
taken so seriously that ii deadens ones
enthusiasm. Personally l consider this
exchange of experiences, of ideas and
methods, one of the most important
features of institute week.
81 have often been asked If did not
think teachers would be more benefited
by a week of rest and relaxation than
by the continuance OF an Intellectual
atmosphere. No, l do not. To begin
with, very much doubt If they would
relax Christmas week and, further, the
atmosphere of the schoolroom, where
teacher is giving all her intellectual
force to others, Is q vastly different
proposition than that of institute.
FRANCIS GIVES IDEAS
]. II. Francis, superintendent Of city
schools, says:
"I think institute is apt to be over
done down here In Southern Califor-
mia. The teachers undoubtedly need
the inspiration Of it, undoubtedly are
helped wonderfully by 1t, but in my
opinion they get a little too much of
it. and cannot follow it all. In the
northern part of the state they con-
duct their institute during the Thanks
giving holiday week which gives them
only three days of it and enables them
to hive full two weeks vacation at
Christmas time. / most heartily ap-
prove of that method.
1.-The greatest benefit of the week is
the meeting of the teachers, one with
another. They gather in the halls be-
tween numbers, they meet each other
at the tea room, and always they are
learning not only to be friends, but to
be broader minded instructors with
now, clear insight into people and
methods
Each teacher Is expected to put in
five days of institute but there are
one or two things which may be sub
stituted for a regular half day-the
evening session on Wednesday and
the play given by the Teachers Build
ing association at the Polytechnic
high school next Tuesday evening.
This play, Mice and Men," is being
entirely conducted and played by the
teachers. Mrs. Gertrude Parsons Is in
charge OF the orchestra, MISS Nora
Sterry is manager of the play, and
Miss Jane Butt is training the actors.
The financial object of the play is to
raise funds for the expenses involved
ir Incorporating, so that the entire
subscription list which has been raised
r.nong the teachers of this city may be
turned into the fund for building a
teachers club house. It Is hoped that
the club house will promulgate good
fellowship among the many educators
in the city, furnishing quarters for
amusement and entertainment.
Wednesday evening will see the be-
ginning of the Teachers association,
and from then until the end of the in
stitute teachers from all the private
schools in the city will attend the
meetings About 800 instructors from
San Bernardino, Orange. San Diego
and Ventura counties will come in
Wednesday, and many others who are
not actually scheduled to be here are
expected from as far away as Santa
Barbara county.
One OF the most attractive features
of institute is the tea room which the
Teachers club will run during the
week at the Angelus hotel suite 221.
There telephones, writing materials and
rest rooms will enable many q tired
teacher to dispense with errands at
leisure and give her time not only for
tea but for conversation with the
others who are there-and last year,
when tea room was run for the first
time. proved beyond a doubt that there
win be many there and that they will
all be grateful for the rest and pleas
ant COZ any to be enjoyed