The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1916-08-10
ITEMS FROM The PILOT FILES,
f0RTy-f0UR YEARS AGO.
TEACHERS INSTITUTE.


the city of Manitowoc, in the Second
Ward School House, commencing at
10 a. m. on Monday, September 2nd.
1872, and closing on Friday evening,
September 9Th.
Prof. Chas. H. Allen, agent of the
Board of Regents of Normal Schools,
will take charge of the Institute.
Hon. Samuel Fallows, Supt't of Public
instruction, will lecture on Thursday
evening, September 9TH. Other prom
inent educators who have had expert
ence in institute work, are expected to
be present Arrangements will be
made SO far rs practicable for evening
sessions and lectures.
Every teacher in Manitowoc county
who can attend this Institute, should
do so. Meetings of this character
have done much for us in the past, but
vastly more remains TO be done before
a majority Of US can perform our work
Systematically, thoroughly, and as well
In all respects as our co-wOrkers in
other sections of the State. No edu-
cational agency OF which we can avail
ourselves is better calculated than the
Institute TO aid us in acquiring the
proficiency we ought to possess. 1t
imparts method, promotes tact, shows
,ctdt the pupil should be taught and
b0r this instruction can best be given.
1t brings us for brief time into the
presence and under the training of
eminent teachers, introduces US to
each other, and leads us to participate
in the discussion of important subjects,
by which thought is awakened, facility
of expression is cultivated, the mind is
made more comprehensive, and the
ideas are liberaIl2ed. 1t exposes the
dangers and fallacies of ipjuGcious
teaching, startles fogyism, represseS
empty conceit and offensive pedantry,
assists individuality TO pass beyond the
narrow circle which self.sut1iciency or
dilidence has drawn around it, and en-
abes us to know ourselves. The In
stitute elevates our work by inspiring
us with higher sense of its import
ance, and secures for it a better public
appreciation. 1t begets love for
study, gives direction to aimless pur-
poses, adds resolution to effort, and
makes US better teachers.
Al no former institute IN this county
has the attendance been fully satisfac
tory. According TO the Secretary S
Record from 80 to lO7 teachers have
been enrolled at various times. Dur
ing the school year ending August.
3lst, 1871, there were in the county
| l53 teachers. At the institute, held
October 9th, 1871, only % teachers
were enrolled. Thus it appears that
81 teachers who had been licensed, as
well as large number Of applicants
who were refused certificates, failed tC
attend. The teachers who desigtcdi,
stay away from Institutes are usually
those VINO most need assistance.
Attt nGng an Institute once yeal
Will not, IN itself, make us efficient
teachers nor profound scholars. 1t is
| only by years Of application and harC
work that We can become either the
one or the other, but the absence of q
| teacher from all educational meeting,
| is strong circumStantial evidence thai
| he is negligent and inert: that he is
not trying to educate himself; that hC
has little interest in his work, because
he suffers these opportunities TO pas,
unimproved, and if NcSc why not OthcI
and dH opportunities? AT the opening
of the Fail Term, School Officer,
should look with suspicion on any ap
plicant Tor situation who resides il
this county and cannot show cerLii
cate Of attendance at the Institute, nol
satisfactorily account for his absence
1t will be found in most cases that nor
attendance is the result Of indifference
TO progress. Every teacher belonging
TO this class engages IN the work d
teaching simply because his prCSccpG
in the school-room secures | i'm a better
| salary than he can obtain for his ser
UjccS in any other employment; and thG
recitations Of his classes are monoton
Gus, stupid and devoid of good results
The cooperation OF District Boards
and of our citizens generally is solicit
ed, to the end that this meeting may
De we'll attended and widely beneficial
in its workings. Every teacher is re
spectfully and earnestly requested tC
attand during the WhOic session.
The evening sessions Of the Institute
will be held in the Court lIouse. CHI
zens are cordially invited TO be pres
ent at all the exercises.
Michael Kirwan,
County SUIT. Of Schools.