Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-05-24

GOOD ATTENDANCE AND PROGRAM AT
THE SESSIONS AT NORWAY.

GOOD ATTENDANCE AND PROGRAM A
| THE SESSIONS AT NORWAY.
A beautiful morning Friday, seemin,
ly vouchsafed US BY repentant sprinl
aided somewhat in bringing the scho'
teachers out to the convention of tt
Oxford County Teachers Association
which was held at Norway. The for,
noon trains brought large delegation
and several parties who had taken az
vantage of the pleasant conditions arri'
ed by auto little later.
| Dinner was served at the Congre
gational church, and supper at Concel
Hall, and the teachers were acommOdat
ed for the night at the homes in town.
The sessions began at2P NJ, in tn
assembly room of the Norway Higl
School, which was filled to it's capacit
with teachers and superintendent,
large number of chairs in all availabl
spaces supplementing the seats.
The president of the association
Superintendent Fl. ]. Chase Of Rumford
called the assembly to order, and con
graduated the association in few word
on the favorable conditions existing
Prayer was offered by Rev. B. c. Went
worth, and there were two selections o
music. the first a song by the pupils o
the ninth grade of the Norway schools
and the other by Norway high schoo
students, conducted by Miss Washburn
Both were earnestly applauded, anC
were revelation to those who do mo-
know of the work in music that is being
done in the schools in these days.
The report of the previous meeting
had to be omitted, as fire in the house
of Superintendent Smith of Buckfield
he secretary, had destroyed the records
of the association. Routine business
was transacted, and Principal Mallett of
the Pennington Normal School was in
troduced to speak on "The Use of the
Margin"
By the margin, Principal Mallett ex-
planned, he meant the margin of our
lives, that which gives co'or, form and
perspective-that portion Of our lives
not given to our daily tasks, but the
leisure we have, which we may use as
we see fit. Every life has or ought to
have its margin, which is sometimes like
that in some books, too narrow. The
use of the margin is revelation of
character. l can judge the work of a
teacher almost as accurately by observ-
ing her use of her margin, as by direct
observation of the work itself.
There is no teaching class or caste in
this country, as in some parts of Europe,
but many teachers come from families
where there is no tradition of learning
or teaching. The net result ia gain in
but loss in efficiency in
the profession as a whole.
The great problem of the schools to-
day is to secure trained and competent
body of teachers The school in these
lays must furnish not only learning, but
he training which the children used to
get at home. Teaching is properly not
! trade, to be used for the private gain
IF the teacher, but profession, using
powers beneficial to man for mans bene-
il.
After training, the second requisite of
4 teacher is that he must grow. This il
where the use of the margin counts.
This is the reason for vacations, for
teachers conventions, for the compan-
onship of the immortals in literature.
Use the margin for recreation, for secur-
ng good company, good digestion, good
nature. Let us teachers Undue all our
ives with the spirit of our profession.
A. w. Clark of Boston followed with a
ak on "The Commonplace in Teaching
Penmanship" This was very prsc-
teal talk on the little things in connec-
lion with the teaching of penmanship,
Illustrated by blackboard work.
Friday evening lecture was given in
the Norway Opera House BY George Ii.
Whilcher, superintendent of schools in
Berlin, N. H on "A Practical System
IF Industrial Training" illustrated by a
arge number of slides showing work
done in Berlin public schools. 1t was
IN interesting lecture, though the gen.
eral opinion seemed to be that at least
except in Rumford there is at present no
place for such system in this county.
The first two hours of the forenoon
from to IL o'clock, were &C.
cupied by department sessions, the con-
ven,ion being divided into three sections,
high and grammar school, primary
school, and rural school. Each section
met in a separate room of the building,
aud variety of subjects were considered
in papers and discussions. There was
very slight deviation from the program
as printed, and the discussions were
profitable. State Superintendent Smith
was participant in the programs.
At II O'Clock the final general session
was held, the principal address being
given by C. A. Record, formerly of this
county, now superintendent of schools
ip Haverhill, Mass. The keynote of Mr..
Records address was that teaching is
not, like commerce or manufacture, to
be Judged by it's immediate visible re-
results. The purpose of teaching is
not to have the largest number possible
pass the examination on any given sub
ject. Teach boys and girls, not subjects.
The purpose of teaching is to make citi-
zens-a trite expression, but true.
State Superintendent Payson Smith
was in charge of the question box which
was the last thing on the program, and
a lumber of questions, largely relating
to matters of school administration, were
asked and considered.
Officers for the coming year were
elected as follows:
President-L. NJ. Felch, Norway.
Vice President-E. +. Clason, South Paris.
Secretary and Treasurer-i. A. Smith, Buck
fell.
Executive Committee - L. ". Fetch, E. F.
Clason. l. A. Smith, Miss Mary A. Brigham,
Rumford.
An exhibit Of school work from some
of the towns of the vicinity in the lower
rooms of the building attracted much at.
tention.
Over $50 teachers and superintendent
were registered as in attendance, and it
is likely that some failed to register.