Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-10-19

| gram mas III course been a GOlFl iIHc-
ton of the association. It's platform
has been kept opep 10 the most adj
vanced educational thought and dis
cussion, and each year it has pre-
scented to its membership the most
notable educators OF the nation.
II would be impossible to present q
complete list of the persons who have
been before the association. Among
the m, however, are found the names
of men and women of highest promi-
nence of President Elliott of Harvard
Commissioners Of Education Harris
and-Glaxton. President Tucker ef
4 Dartmouth, President Wright of Clarl.
College. Henry Barnard of Hartford,
Connecticut. Secy. Martin Of Massa-
chEsetts. Mrs. Alice Freeman Palmer,
Supt. Ballet of Springfield, Massa-
chusetts, Samuel 7. button of Teach
ers' College, Secretary Hill of Massa-
| chEsetts. Alex +. Frye of Boston,
Sarah Louise Arnold Of Simmons Coll
| lege, Professor Hanus of Harvard.
| Secretary Hine of Connecticut. DIR.
! Nm. j. Long Of Stamford, Connecd-
cut, DIR. Albion w. Small of Chicago
| Leonard p. Ayers of the Russell Sage
| Foundation.
BY means Of this annual presenta
| ton Of current educational theories by
their leading opponents the teaching
force of Maine has been helped II
keep abreast of the times. Indeed in
the production of a teaching force
generally recognized for its progress
size character no small part has been
played by this association.
Other Work.
Ii must not be supposed that the
work of the Maine Teachers Associa-
ton has been restricted to the holding
of its annual convention. II has been
active both in the initiation and in the
promotion of various educational re-
forms.
Action was taken at the second
meeting Of the original association
looking toward the adjustment of the
district system in favor of the present
town system. The influence Of the
association has had great effect in the
establishment of free High schools,
free textbooks, normal schools, Ii
braries and the extension of the school
year. It has, moreover, through spe-
ciai committees and Investigations,
made noteworthy contributions Ia
progress.
In 1887 committee appointed for
the purpose of arranging a rural
school course Of study did valuable
work.
The report of the committee OF
teachers salaries was the beginning
OF movement that has already re-
suited in marked increase of teachers
salaries. a movement that is apparent
~ still going forward.
4 committee to investigate teach
ers, pension systems is now at work
and will report it's finding at an early
meeting.
New Activities This Year.
One of the noteworthy changes in
program arrangement thar teachers
will notice this year is that which
proxidesffor three large group meet
ings on Friday morning At these
meetings the college. secondary
school, and elementary school instruc
tcrs will find in their respective group
meetings, programs constructed for
their benefit The afternoon meetings
viii be very closely specialized so that
every teacher will find a session ar
ranged so as t. appeal to his own par
sticular interest.
New departments coming into the
association this year are those TO"
members of school boards, teachers of
secondary school agriculture, and
teachers of household arts.
Its Opportunities.
With its splendid record. its high
1.,,.
membership representing all phases of
education in the State the Maine
Teachers Association has unusual OPP
portunities To render service to the
cause of education in the State.
As indicated in its past history the
association and its predecessors have
played an important part in determin-
ing and in developing educational
policies even when the membership
has been comparatively smalls With
this membership, however, comprising
a third of the entire teaching force
and representing all sections Of the
| State opportunity for molding ediic3-
/ t,o nal information and cfyStalizins
| this information into polcF has sc II
multiplied. With resneat 10 the con-
| ventions themselves it should be said
that these have all attained a super
| iority SO marked that radical i'm .
| prevement seems hardly possible. It
should be remarked, however. that in
recent years executive committees
have made the construction OF the pros
gram the work of an entire year ana
not as formerly when the meetin IS
were small the task Of few weeks
NI of A. la N Il
Convention next week were assigned
nearly a year ago and all of the de-
partment programs We're practicalis
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