The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-03-12

instructions used by each teacher, and
give SUCH instructions, aid and en-
couragement to teachers and pupils as
circumstances may suggest"
The Importance of frequent visitation
by the superintendent to each school
room, observation of mode of govern
ment and instruction and the giving of
instructions, aid and encouragement as
required by this rule is fundamental to
the success of any superintendent. We
can say that there has been practically
an entire failure on the part of MIR.
hoover to comply with this rule.
Teacher after ZACH has told us that
during the last two years Mr.. Hoover
has not heard or conducted a single
recitation In their room; and several
teachers have told us that when he Wis
tied them he walked across the room,
examined the thermometer, and then he
Immediately departed. His visits to
the school rooms have been purely for
NAL and there has been an entire fall
ure to observe this rule in spirit. Aft
er quite an extended investigation we
found no teacher who had received the
Mr.. Hoover contemplated by this rule.
Conference With Teachers.
Efficient superintendency not only
requires supervision of the individual
teacher, but it also requires confer
ences with teachers as to methods of
instruction and discipline.
Rule 6 reads as follows:
He shall have power to require the
attendance of any and all teachers at
such time n place as shall be desig-
mated for the purpose OF consultation
in regard to the wants of the school,
h best method. of imparting i~nstruc-
ton and of securing wholesome disci-
pline."
The Importance of consultation of
teachers with the superintendent in re-
gard to the wants of the school and the
best method of imparting instruction,
especially in schools like those we
have, is or should be apparent to every
one: In our several years experience
there have been very few, If any,
conferences such as this rule contem-
plates shall be held, and the failure to
hold these lies at the door of the SUI
perintendent and not the teachers,
Teachers Institutes.
The rules under which Mr.. Hoover
has been serving us contemplate the
holding of teachers institutes under
his direction at least once a month.
Rule Ia. III shall call a meeting
of the teachers at least once in each
school month and the teachers in the
same departments, as he shall deem adj
yisable."
Rule 10. "He shall have the authority
to close the rooms of those teachers
who are to attend a teachers meeting
a little earlier than the usual hour, in
case such action is considered neces-
sary."
Rule 20. "IIe shall have authority
to hold a teachers institute on the
Saturday of each month. which all
teachers are required to attend"
/ We ave in our schools over eighty
ing force is very largely determined by
the quality of leadership furnished by
the superintendent. The teachers in
stitutes required by the rules furnish
superintendent to exercise his leader
ship n to raise III standard among
the teachers and to impart proper
methods of instruction. The require
ment that these shall be held is i'm
peratiye. The rules requiring monthly
Institutes haye been utterly disregard
ed by Mr.. Hoover. We believe that
there a been but one general meet
Ing of the teachers in the current year,
n the subject for which it was call
ed was the consideration of legislation
for the pensioning of teachers; that SO
far as we are able to ascertain the
teachers of the same grades have not
been called together in conference to
discuss methods of instruction and
standards in their respective grades.
There has been practically q complete
failure on the part of Mr.. Hoover in
the performance of his duties as SUI
perintendent of teachers within the
contemplation OF the rules above re-
ferred to. Such superintendence OF
teachers as we had has been through
the principals and casts Upon them a
burden for which they are not employ
ed, and this duty does not properly be-
long to them.
Superintendent Must BE an Educator.
Rule is. He (the superintendent
shall devote himself exclusively to the
duties of his Office
Rule II. "He (the superintendent)
shall be expected to keep himself post.
ed as to the best method Of school man.
agenent and instruction, and to sec
that the schools are kept UP to as high
y standard Of excellence as possible
The portions of the printed rules
which we have quoted clearly describe
the kind Of superintendency the ma
J jority Of the board desires and thu