Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1916-10-17
TEACHERS CONVENTION

Wisconsin Teachers association at its
| fourth annual meeting.
The sessions opened Friday morn
| ing in the High school auditorium
with singing by w. X. MITCHELL after
which the meeting was called to order
| by Chairman William Milne of Mer-
rill. Mayor H. E. Marquardt well
coined the, teachers to our city with
an appropriate address, in which he
| stated the important duties of teach
ers, as the future of our country de-
pends largely on the results Of their
| teachings. He told the teachers that
the purpose of the annual meetings
was to give them an opportunity to get
new ideas in the principles of teach
| ing. He divided education into three
parts; the maternal instruction at
home, theoretical instruction in school
and practical instruction in the world.
John Kieth, president of the Osh-
kosh Normal school, was to have re-
sponded to the address OF welcome,
but in his absence G. w. Otto, super
intendent of the Marshfield schools,
gave a talk. He told the, gathering
that Friday, the thirteenth, did not
seem to make any difference to the
teachers, and showed that they were
not superstitious. Mr.. Otto said
'W W-a-u-s-a-u spells something besides
Wausau; it spells Hospitality, with a
big H."
Chairman Milne introduced Alexan-
der Johnson, field secretary of the ma
tional committee or the care of the
feeble minded, and he gave an ex-
cellent talk on "The Relations of the
Teacher with the Feeble Minded
Child" Mr.. Johnson said, Teachers
come in close contact with feeble
minded children, and it is an import
ant question with them what to do
with that class. Feeble minded chill
dren if not properly looked after be-
come undesirable citizens in time.
These children usually come from fam
lilies inflicted with this weakness.
Occasionally sickness in childhood
will bring this on. Special schools
are provided for this class of people,
where they are taught simple things,
such as obedience, cleanliness and or
der. In closing he stated that feeble
minded people, no matter what age,
are only children, and should be treat
ed as SUCH"
After some association business had
been discussed by Chairman Milne and
supper announcements made by Supt.
S. B. Tobey, Carroll G. Pearse, presi-
dent of the Milwaukee Normal school,
appeared before the educators and
talked on what the Community May
Expect From the Teachers" This
subject also included what the teach
er has right to expect from his or
her community. Mr.. Pearse thinks
the home and school should get in
closer touch with each other, by form
ing associations including the parents
and teachers and hold meetings to
discuss problems arising. The COM
munity has right to expect of the
teacher the following: character and
breeding, good health, good work with
a view of continually advancing, and
an interest in the country in which
the teacher lives, getting in touch
with the people by joining their So
cieties and helping them by pushing
their interests.
The teachers also have a right to
expect some things from the commun
ity in which they teach. The people
should believe in the public school
idea parents should take interest in
the schools and the teacher should
have the support of the community.
Mrs. Walter Gogg entertained the
audience with delightful solos.
Paul f. Voelker of the University of
Wisconsin,, gave an interesting and
humorous talk on Wheels" which
was received with much pleasure by
the teachers.
On Friday evening there was a joint
meeting of members of the Central
| Wisconsin Teachers association and
Christian Endeavor convention at the
Methodist church. Prof. Paul f..
Voelker of the University of Wiscon-
sin, gave wonderful lecture on Joan
of Are" At the evening program
Mrs. c. F. Ogden pleased the gather
| ing with q group of songs.
The teachers meeting on Saturday
morning opened up with business. The
main subject for general discussion
was the proposed constitution of the
! Wisconsin Teachers association. A
| membership in any of the individual
associations would also include mem
bership in the Wisconsin association.
There are eight associations in the
state, and according to the constitu-
tion a member of the executive board
is to be elected by each of these bodies
and three at large. Annual meetings
would be held during the Christmas
holidays. A paid secretary would do
the secretary work and also prepare
a magazine for the members.
The, members of the Central Wis
consin body expressed their opinions
that it was direction toward centrali-
| zatiOn, or bringing all the individual
bodies under one which would not be
the best thing to do. The annual meet
ing during the holidays was not ap-
proved by the teachers, and they did
not think there would be enough
money left after the secretary's and
program expenses had been paid to
get out a magazine of much worth.
Miss Frances Bennach, county SUI
lperintendent of Portage county, was
| elected as a member of the executive
committee for five years.
The committee on resolutions of
fered the following:
Whereas, The city of Wausau
through its Mayor, Commercial club
Y. M. C. A, teachers and citizens, has
so generously provided for our com
fort and entertainment in throwing
open their homes, churches and clubs
for our convenience,
Therefore, Resolved as follows: We
the teachers of the Central Wiscon-
sin Teachers association, extend our
sincere appreciation,
l. To the citizens of Wausau for their
unexcelled courtesy in placing their
homes at our disposal.
2. To Supt. Tobey and teachers for as
suming such a large part of the labor
and expense of this meeting and for
| their untiring efforts in our behalf.