The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-03

early as 1927. The first state normal
| school in America was established al
Lexington, Mass, in 1880.
The purpose of the first normal school
in America at Concord Corner under Rev
Hall was the elevation of the schools by
improving the qualifications of the teach
ers. The first term was commenced in
his own house; but was soon after re-
moved to a convenient hall. over one of
the stores in the village. Better accom-
modations were soon after demanded by
the great increase in the number of stu
dents who attended this school. An
academy building was erected. course
of study was arranged and teachers
classes formed during the first year, but
during the second year regular normal
course was instituted. Lectures on the
theory and practice of teaching were Civ
EN- during the spring and autumn of each
wear, intended to illustrate improved
methods of both teaching and governing
schools. A small volume of these lee
lures was prepared for publication in
1928, and published in 1929, being the
first attempt of this kind in the western
continent, if not in the world. This vol
ume. according to Hemenway's Vermont
Historical Gazetteer, was received with
great favor. Several editions were is
sued and sold. One edition of 10000
copies was purchased by the state of
New York and placed in each school dis
trict of the state.
Henry Barnard SAID of Rev. Hall and
his school;
"Here in an obscure corner OF New
England, under the hand of one who was
to remarkable degree, self taught, self
prompted and alone in planning it, was
an institution with all the essential char
acteristics of normal school, IS years
(l6 years. before the Massachusetts, de-
velopment which secured the establish
ment of the normal school at Lexington"
Teacher training in high schools, which
is next in order chronologically, will be
considered after the discussion of normal
schools.
The first public agitation of the nor
NAL school idea in this country was
started by Charles Brooks of Medford,
Mass. In 1885, Mr.. Brooks called con
vention of the citizens of Plymouth, to
whom he opened the whole matter as
clearly and strongly as he could, show
ing that the great work must first begin |
by founding a state normal school in
Plymouth county. At one of these con-
ventions, Daniel Webster and John Quin- |
cy Adams were present, and gave ex- |
pressions of approval of the feeling and |
sentiment which had been developed by |
contact with enthusiastic leaders of the |
Mr.. Webster said that the |
aim was to elevate and improve |
the primary schools, but that there was |
still a larger view; that every man and /
every brother and every sister,
Is teacher; that parents are eminently /
teachers; that if normal schools are to
leach teachers, they make teachers, a
of whom win ultimately become
parents; and all who in any way inhu
,nce children, more nearly competent to
heir high office; that in the family there
would be better teaching; and that the
fleet would be felt throughout society.
dr. Adams was likewise hopeful and en-
husiastic.
The great purpose of the normal school
3 to prepare teachers for their work in
he public schools OF the state. The sue
essful teacher must possess scholarship
Illus technical skill in teaching and man
ging The colleges and universities, in
he main, fit their students for the pro-
essions and the business world. IL is
rue that many colleges and universities
ave departments of education. Some
ave teachers colleges. But the teacher
raining work in colleges and UNIVERSE
les is nearly altogether to fit teachers ;
OF secondary schools, colleges, universe !,
les and normal schools.
The lawyer and physician look after !
he specific interests of their clients and
atients the minister cares for the spir- :
,ual welfare of his particular parish; !
he business man looks after his own in
erests alone; but the public school !,
.acher gives her best thought and her =
est efforts for al the children of all :
he people. II is, therefore, both a duty :
nd a necessity for the state to found :
nd support state normal schools. The :
motion of the state normal school is
ocular and its responsibilities are great !
than those of other educational insti- =
J. L. McBrien, school extern !
on agent, y. s. bureau of education, de- !,
lrtment of the interior. !,