The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1910-09-01
AN IMPORTRNT MEETING.
The Teachers County Institute and
Association.

The writer hopes that it is not too
late to say few words through THE
COMMONWEALTH about the Halifax
County Colored Teachers Institute
and Association.
The Institute was held in the hos
pltable town of Weldon, August, 1st,
to 18th, 1910. The daily sessions
were held in the commodious graded
school building for the colored peo-
pie. A large number of teachers at
tended each session, and seventy-nine
were enrolled.
The Institute was held under the
supervision Of State and County Su-
perintendents Of Public Instruction,
). Y. Joyner and A. S. Harrison.
The personal management, however,
was in the hands Of Prof. John w.
Byrd, of Smithfield. N. c.. Prof.
Byrd made an indelible impression
for good upon the memory of all the
teachers present. The good he has
done is ineffable. We, the the teach
ers, consider it quite an honor to US
to have one of our own race sent
among US to conduct our Institutes.
Prof. Byrd was easily the master
of the arduous task. He is affable,
practicle, proficient, inventive, and
perfectly at home" among teachers.
The exercises consisted chiefly of
lectures and blackboard illustrations
relative to the primary work of the
teacher in his or her school. Much
emphasis was put upon the necessity
of thorough acquaintance with the
subject to be taught, and drilled on
the part Of the student.
Aside from the subjects of text
books, the question Of good citizen
ship, the right kind of education,
good morals. industrial habits, clean
liness, politeness, love of service, and
many other elements that enter into
the best development of man, were
given considerable latitude. The
Institute was decidedly a success.
On the 9th, several of the teachers
rendered choice literary program
before an appreciative audience at
the First Baptist Church. Peri. Byrd
intensified tue occasion with strong,
timely and persuasive lecture.
Not only was the Institute instruct
i've; it was encouraging and invigo-
rating. 1t is we'll to say that the
teachers returned to their work much
stronger and more able to teach than
before attending the lectures.
Prof. P. w. Moore, principal of
the State Normal School at Elizabeth
City. and Prof. Jordon, Of Kittrel
College, visited the Institute and
gave US some timely expressions.
Before the Institute closed the
teachers organized themselves into a
County Teachers Association which
will meet three times a year.
The annual officers are: Presi-
dent, Mr.. G. P. Anthony, of Weldon;
first vice-president, Mrs. Fannie
Hunter, of Enfield; second vice-pres-
ident, Mr.. L. C. Batchlor, of Heaths-
vile; recording secretary, Geo. M.
James, of Scotland Neck; assistant
secretary, Miss frankie B. Myrick,
of Ringwood; Treasurer, Miss Dollie
Johnson, of Halifax.
Executive Board-C. P. Anthony,
G. M. James, L. C. Batchlor, Miss
Matte B. Watson, F. w. Pullen, M.
w. Williams, Jr., Thad Johnson,
Miss Aurelia Harris and Mrs. Carrie
Powell
The first session of the Association
will be at Enfield. Friday, Septem-
Der, 9th, 1910, at 10 o'clock a. m.
The session will be held in the colored
graded school building. Every teach
er is required to pay ten cents for
the expenses of the Association.
Prompt attendance on the part of
each teacher is considered compulso-
ry.
The Association adopted as it's Or
gan of communication The Durham
Reformer. The object Of the Asso-
citation is the betterment of the
moral and intellectual life Of our
people in general, and to maintain
oneness Of effort among ourselves,
and to be abreast with the best
methods and means of public in
struction from time to time.
Friends who are interested in the
general education Of the masses are
hereby invited to meet with the AS
sociation. The teachers urgently re-
quest and solicit the presence and as
sistance of DR.. A. S. Harrison, the
County Superintendent of Schools,
Respectfully submitted,
GEO. M. JAMES,
Scotland Neck N. G..