The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1911-11-10
THE JOINT INSTITUTE
(Contributed)

So. -- ss
| lContributed)
\ During the week commencing Oct
ober 23rd, the schools of ten south
eastern Idaho counties closed in order
to- permit the teachers to spend five
days In Pocatello atFthe annual teach
ers' institute. This procedure is
made necessary by the school laws
of the state, and Notwithstanding the
many criticisms coming from differ
ent sections of the state, the majority
of people who are we'll informed on
matters of this nature are disposed to
look upon the plan with approval. 1t
is no longer question for discussion
among farmers, doctors, lawyers and
editors as to the benefits of associa-
Itions and conventions. The mutual
benefits, the inspiration and up-lift
to be gained by meeting for discus
! sions of the live issues, the new me-
thods and the late discoveries, are
all we'll known, but to have present
on such occasions the experts along
the line of discussion, the best-in-
formed men In the nation, is to place
all such meetings above the least sha-
dow Of suspicion. This, then, was
the condition found in the institute
at Pocatello.
The men who essayed to lecture
were not mere teachers, they were the
best-informed experts that the county
affords, and all teachers are agreed
that the meeting was one of great
value and inspiration. To hear the
wonderful talks of Professor Adrian,
or to drink in the philosophy Of DR..
Haworth would be an inspiration for
life and no teacher who heard these
men for five days can say. that he Is
not wiser, better and more capable
than he was before.
Then again, the detail work Of
everyday teaching was made a feature
Of this years institute. The actual
school problems as they come up in
in the rural schools, in the city gram
mar school, or in the high schools,
were taken up and discussed by men
and women who have devoted their
lives to these questions. Certainly
this is most practical feature.
The meeting of one thousand
teachers in one body, the concentrat-
ing of one thousand minds on self
improvement; not for personal gain,
but for the purpose of giving to Ida
no better schools, is a factor of this
institute system that should not be
overlooked.
Against the plan may be urged the
fact that it breaks into school work.
So does Thanksgiving and Christmas
vacations, but no one will argue that
they should be abandoned.
Again some people insist that thes.,
institutes should be held before
school begins This is impossible on
account of the irregularity in the date
for schools to open each fall. The
law requires every teacher to attend.
Suppose that country district should
decide, as many do, that October LIST
is the proper date for their particular
school to open. Their teacher, per-
haps an eastern lady, would be COM
PEELED to come to Idaho and remain
at expense and without employment
until this date. The institute would
be held later than the last week of
August or the first week in Septem-
Der.
Looking at the matter from all
sides, it would seem that the pres
ent arrangement is a good one. It |
may have drawbacks, but other plans |
have greater ones. From my per-
sonal view of it, looking at the inter-
ests of the public and the school first,
and at the teachers well-being sec
ond, my idea is that the institute is
a thing we'll worth while.
w. D. VINCENT.
->-