Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-05-16
COUNTY NORMAL
OFFERS. THE YOUNG
STUDENTS A CHANCE


WHAT l IT'S AND HOW 1T is TO
OPERATE EXPLAINED BY
HI. H. LOWREY
County School Commissioners Har-
vey H. Lowrey has prepared some
information regarding the scope and
value of the county normal. This
information is Of general interest to
students in the high schools of the
county and may aid many of them in
deciding upon their immediate
courses after leaving the schools as
graduates. In explaining what the
normal is Mr.. Lowrey says:
The Ionia County Normal School
The County Normal School makes it
a business to train teachers for the
rural schools. The county normal
school is supported very largely by
the State of Michigan, and is direct
ly under the supervision Of the coun-
ty normal board. This board is COM
posed of Harvey H. Lowrey, commits
sioner of schools; l.. l.. Forsythe,
superintendent of schools of Ionia |;
and Fred l.. Keller, superintendent
Of public instruction.
The county normal school offers a
course of training for teachers which
extends over one school year. 1t
gives thorough instruction in the
common branches and in professional
studies. 1t prepares the student to
teach rural school efficiently. In
order to do this the county normal
maintains a schoolroom in which the
students are required to do practice
teaching, The training in actual
teaching given to beginners by the
county normal is not surpassed any
where. -
Prospective teachers will find it to
their advantage to attend the county
normal school. Young people may
often remain at home and receive one
year of advanced training and thus
avoid the extra expense to attend
higher institutions of learning far
away. At the county normal the tut
ton is free.
A person who completes the county
normal course satisfactorily is grant
ed a county normal certificate which
qualities the holder to teach in any
rural school of the county for a per-
iod of three years without examina-
ton. At the end of that time, if the
person has proven a successful teach
er the certificate will be renewed for
a period of three years. The certi-
ficate may be again be renewed for
another period of three years, if, in
the meantime, which must be in adj
vance of the work done in the county
normal. A county normal certifi-
cate, therefore, is practically good for
nine years. Also, a county normal
certificate may be transferred from
one county to another, with the per-
mission of the commissioner of
schools. A county normal certificate,
therefore, is usually valid in any
county of the state.
A county normal graduate who is
also a graduate of high school may
complete the work of a life certi-
fcate at state normal school in one
year and one summer. A county nor
NAL graduate who is a high school
graduate will receive credit to the
extent of twelve hours on entering the
University of Michigan. State in
situations are always glad to enter
graduates from county noEmal schools
and to give them advanced credit.
The educational world is turning its
attention to the problem of rural edu-
cation. There are great opportunities
ahead for those who take up this work
and qualify themselves now by pro-
per training. The rural schools of
Michigan are paying better wages
every years and there is always a de-
mand for good rural teachers. Every
teacher in Michigan must have normal
training of some kind. The county
normal aims to give the right kind of
training for rural teachers. Only a
limited number of students can be
taken care of In the county normal
each year. Persons who wish to enter
the county normal for next year
shou make arrangements now.
Any graduate of a twelve grade
school or any pupil who had COM
pleted eleven grades in a good high
school is eligible to enter the county
normal school by fling a statement
of work done, signed by the superin-
tendent or principal. An applica-
blank for this purpose will be sent
upon request by the commissioner of
schools. All applications are passed
upon by the county normal board.
Persons who have not the qualifica-
tions above mentioned but who wish
to enter. the county normal should
take the matter up with the commits
sioner of schools in order that the in
diyidual case may be given considera-
ton. IS
Application may be made to Har-
vey III. Lowrey. Commissioner of
schools, Ionia, Michigan.