Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-11-04
STATE TEACHERS
GATHER IN FORCE
FOR CONVENTION
Rutland Welcomes Large Num-
Der of Visitors to the Goth
Annual Meetlng-The
Days Program.

yentlon of the Vermont State Teachers
association opened at the Shrine theatre
In this city this afternoon at two o'clock
ind the pouring in of the school ma ms
by train, by trolley car and by automo-
bile indicates that the attendance will
fully reach expectations. The convention
got down TO business at once, five speak,
ers appearing either in brief talks or ad-
dresses. With sessions in the theatre, the
Industrial exposition at the fair grounds,
the book companies exhibits in the high
school and the collection Of art work of
Vermont schools in the Dana building to
visit, besides attending social functions,
the teachers win have a busy three days,
the convention coming to a close Satur-
day noon.
Miss Caroline S. Woodruff Of St. Johns
Dni president of the Vermont State
Teachers association, presided this after
noon and gave her address. She traced
the development of the educational sys-
ten of Vermont, speaking particularly
Of the excellent results obtained through
compulsory expert supervision. She called
attention to the demand for trained
teachers pointing out that 1t was neces-
sary TO- the teacher to keep pace with
the progress of the system. Her subject
was THE Call of the School," While
there was much said about the Call of
the Hills and many other calls, the call
of the schoolroom she said, was one
which is annually attracting many thou.
sands of the best young men and women
in whose heart there Is a responding
note, making them realize the Importance
of a calling which places the moulding
Of future citizens in their hands
Commissioner of Education Mason S.
.,tone of Montpelier who followed Miss
Woodruff, also traced the history of the
educational system of Vermont, pointing
out more particularly what has been
complished the last year He said that
in making school attendance compulsory
tie State guarantees the child shall be
properly educated. 1t is one of the duties
of the teacher to sec that this duty Is
performed. Mr.. Stone assured the teachers
that they have the confidence of the State
board of education.
He said:
Never before were conditions more
favorable and never before were prospects
brighter for the esta Enlistment of a great
and worthy system, a system that shall
be adapted to Vermont conditions, a sys-
TEN that will establish an equality of
duNdutd6tS, SteHl tHde
will meet the needs and natures of the
pupils, system that not only will Voca-
tionalze, industrialize and energize the
boys and girls. but system that will
socialize, culturize and spiritualize them.
system that not only will produce a
reading. thinking, serving and producing
class of men and women, but a system
that will make them deep-souled. full
Orbp1 far-yiSiono1 and hip H. minded
Governor C. w. Gates spoke few words
of greeting to the teachers. There was
also an address by James Hartness of
Springfield, chairman of the State board
of education, VINO urged the teachers to
use the time of the convention in con-
structive effort to inspire each other and
not to use their energies in criticism. 1t
needs pulling together to achieve the
mighty task of the teachers.
DR.. Alvin F. Dodd of New York. secre-
tary of the National Society for Promo
ton of Industrial Education, addressed
the convention on "A Conservation of
Human Resources"
he exhibit of art work from schools
Of the State is especially large. the fol.
lowing schools being represented:
Montpelier, courses in drawing showing
the work by grades, week by week; Barre
drawing of various kinds; Brattleboro
drawing, sewing and woodwork; Rutland
drawing from first grade to high school,
Bellows Falls, especially strong in original
work; St. Johnsbury, drawings from
nature a speciality; Fair Haven, draw
ing and sewing: Burlington. large gen.
eral exhibit; Montpelier Seminary. oil
PAINTINGS, water colors and charcoal
sketches; Woodstock, paper construction
work, basketry and drawing.
The Mill village school has an attrac-
tive cXhibi, representing an Indian viii
lage where lived Eiawatha." Other
smaller schools exhibiting are: Enosburg
Sheldon, town of Rutland Richford
Berkshire. Proctor, especially strong in
mechanical drawing. Ryegate, Groton
Caledonia. Chittenden.