Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1914-02-14
Inspiration
Institute
Over One Hundred Teachers
Gather Here.

In spite of the stormy weather which
prevailed, over 100 of the teachers OF
the county attended the Inspiration IN
stitute held at East Jordan, February
and 3.
Supt. l.. w. Butter of Boyne City
was appointed by the Cep2rn at IS
conductor and gave tn &c very able
and interesting addresses during the
meeting.
In his discussion of the subject OF
nature study, Prof. Butler took up a
stId.T0 of the evergreens OF Northern
M.4x.gan. He proved coaciusive!y 10
those present, first that this subject
can be made very interesting and Sc
cond that very many of US really see
but very little as we go on our way.
He had branches from the ten ever
greens which are common in this
country and showed the teachers OF
the county some of the ways ir which
each one differed from all OF the
others and by which each particular
one could be correctly classified.
1t is really astonishing how very
little we really know OF the common
things about us. 1t may be true, as
claimed by some, that being able to
name plants or evergreens will not
mean much to us in the matter OF dol
lars and cents, but if we could teach
our children the habit OF observing
thing we could establish with these one
of the greatest sources of information
and education. Ii is in the establishing
o~stis very desirable habit that nature
study has its great value.
His talks on Primary Arithmetic AID
on Geography were equally interest ng
and many valuable suggestions IS to
the teaching OF these subjects Were
given to the teachers of the county
Prof. Vanden5erg of the Central
State Normal, gave three very excel
lent lectures. His discussion of "rhe
Measuring Rod in Educat.on," le.t u
Wit new and c.earer idea as 70 how
-fl should measure cur yaiuc 80 com
muni+y as teachers. He made it very
Clear to us that taking class from
"Decimals" to "Mensuration" in one
term was not necessarily doing valu-
able work for the class.
His othc. addresses were fu'' OF
good Things 10 tAIn.. ABOUT. lie IS GER
-,4niy d very practical educator. he
studiousiy avoided high sounding
theoretical propositions and confined
himself to a discussion Of ideas that
coubEbe actually worked out by the
average teacher in her school. The
very close attention of the teachers of
the county to his talks is ample proof
of his ability in presenting subject to
an Institute.
Prof. Harrop gave four addresses the
last day of the meeting. We will not
attempt to say much about Prof. Ear
rop. Ask those who heard him. ne
is all that Gov. Ferris said ne was AID
more. One teacher said, 1--WE learned
more in half an hour about the Civil
War than | ever knew before" Prof
Harrop is polished scholarly gentle.
man. lie is an orator Of ability, very
,ntcrtain;ng, yet very Garnet N his
work.
"e consider him On Par Nth DR..
Fess who was with us last year, and
tie teachers who heard DR.. Tess last
year have said over and over shat nc
storm would prevent their hearing him
again should he come back to the coun.
ty.
The most disappointing feature Of
orr Institute is the lack Of interest
Z ia BY the patrons We wish thai
het2asents would come out and hear
these men. It would do them good
anu would stimulate interest in schoo
work.
This institute, though sprung upon
us with but few days notice, was one
or the most helpful that ne ever had.
we are indebted to Mrs. Il. l.. Coul
ter Of Charleyoix, Mr. Otto Powers Of
Irex-rse City, Mrs. Alice Kenyon ot
~ Jordan, The East Jordan liigf
Sth0 Vi chorus AID Orchestra for thc
o.Scel!ent selections rendered d1r;na
tie meeting and which were enjoyed
ve much ~ those in attendance
J. Z. MILFORD, Com'r
--.-