The Coconino sun. (Flagstaff, Ariz.) 1898-1978, 1914-07-31
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The summer visitor at Flagstaff, who
has come from less favored places to enjoy
the cool mountain breezes and the varied
and magnificent scenery Of this region, ought
not to call his stay complete until he has
paid at least one visit to the Northern Ari-
IONA Normal School, For more interesting
by far than craters of volcanoes, lava beds,
prehistoric cliff dwellings, mile long caves,
or even Grand Canyon that may chance
be in land, must be its young men and
women earnestly preparing for the work of
the morrow. When these people, in turn,
happen to be the teachers or prospective
teachers of still younger generation, our
interest must deepen. We are just begin
ming to realize the tremendous influence
exerted by just the everyday school teacher,
That is why the really most important thing
at Flagstaff is the normal school. Here are
gathered many of the most wide-awake and
progressive teachers of a big state study
ing that they may better grace the great and
noble profession to which they belong.
The business of preparing the teachers
of great commonwealth such as Arizona
is a grave task The Northern Arizona
Normal School has taken that task to heart,
and, under the splendid leadership of its
earnest and able president, DR.. Blome, has
seriously set itself to the problem OF training
real teachers for our public schools That
it is glorlously succeeding is not questioned
by anyone acquainted with the school.
The first thing that strikes the attention
of the visitor at this normal school, is the air
of busy activity about the buildings. Closer
acquaintance proves this activity to be very
hearty and good natured. Perhaps the most
striking thing about the Northern Arizona
Normal School is the natural, spontaneous life
of its students. 1t is much like big home,
where teachers and students mingle as sort
of large family devoted for the time being
to educational pursuits.
Most of the students live in the pleasant,
well-regulated dormitories Under the guild
ance of Miss Barber, who has charge of
Bury Hall, and Mrs. Robinson, the precep-
tress of Morton Hall, both of them charm
ing ladies. The girls of the school are taught
habits of orderly neatness in household at
fairs, and the art of gracious and ladylike
behavior wherever they may be. In the
mems dormitory, the boys have the advan-
tage of the real motherly watchfulness of
Mrs. Blome. One lad said to me last win
ter: 'I'll tell you, Mrs. Bome has given
me some good straight talks-better advice
that ever got at home. And sure appre-
ciate it too In the coming year, Mr..
Rosenberg, the Manual Training teacher,
will also be in the dormitory, and the infu-
ence of his sturdy manliness ought to be an
inspiration to many boy who needs good
example even more than wise precept.
The school offers three distinct courses
The Normal Course, which may be complet-
ed in five years by student entering from
the grades or in two years by high school
graduate or even in one and one-half years
if advantage be taken of the summer school
session; the Academic Course, which pre-
pares the student for college entrance; and
the Commercial Course, which is designed as
special preparation for actual business life.
The training school is run in connection
with the normal school proper There, the
candidate for teachers diploma must do
practice work under the guidance of trained
critic teachers until he has gained certain
degree of proficiency in discipline and in
presenting subject matter to the children.
In regard to the work offered at the
Northern Arizona Normal School, it is
matter of importance to say that every eff
fort is made to offer the student those things