Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-03-18

the habit and the ability to Cooperate
with ones fellows in worth while activ-
ries, the development of the sense Of
personal responsibility Tor the common
good and a clear idea OF the meaning of
democracy.
emphasis was placed upon independent
work The pupil recited what he had learn
ed by his own efforts and he was taught
to strive 90 outdistance his fellows The
new ideal Is leading to the socialized re-
citation in which the pupils under the
leadership of tho teacher chose subjects
which are Of interest and Importance to
them"
This new style of work the speaker
characterized as collective thinking.
Training In collective thinking IL alb
solutely necessary to-day in view of the
fact that large part Of the work Of
the world Is done through committees
boards and public meetings Where the
ideas Of zach individual must be notified
b. ideas and opinions Of others. Many
committees are committees only in form
because one person by his superior knowl-
edge OF the subject, or ability to present
his tdeas. dominates the situation. The
really valuable committee. however is
one In which all members contribute and
tho conclusion is the result Of combined
wisdom. This Ia simply one illustration
Of the fact that II we are to teach DEM
ooracy the school must itself be a dem
ocracy in which each individual plays
his part. Democracy includes not only
the idea of training for leadership but al
80 n trains for Fellowship
CONTRACTS SHOULD NOT BE
BROKEN
Special meetings of the Headn,a sters'
club and the Vermont Women Teachers
club were held directly after the regular
afternoon program Both organization
passed resolutions recommending that no
teachers. unqualified by training and ex-
perience. should be granted permits to
teach in any Of the schools of the State
during the coming year, except where IL
was found absolutely necessary in emer-
gencies. It was tho recomm endation OF
these resolutions, also, that It would be
better In most cases. 20 close schools
entirely rather than to trust the instruc-
ton of pupils 10 teachers who were not
properly qualified for their work. Both
clubs voted that all their resolutions be
forwarded to the state Board OF Educs
ton
In addition to these resolutions, the
Vermont Women Teachers club passed
resolutions disapproving of the breaking
OF contracts by any teachers during this
school year because they might not get
what they asked for in the shape of
raises in salaries. II was the opinion Of
the teachers that contracts should be
scrupulously kept, even though Justice
in raising salaries might not be occurred
in every case. These resolutions we're
occasioned to some extent by the action
of n group of teachers who failed to get
raise when they petitioned tho school
board. These teachers resigned their posi-
tons and left the school. The resolutions
OF the Vermont Women Teachers club
were in disapprovai Of this course OF
action. although r. was urged that teach
efs stand out for proper salaries for next
year.
From the Headmastsrs' club was an
pointed committee consisting OF Messrs.
Dickinson of ST. Adams. Hunt of Barre
and Miller of Springfield. to arrange for
the program for the next meeting.
BANQUET AND INFORMAL
ADDRESSES
There was q good attendance at the
banquet Of tho Headn,asters' club in the
| main dining hall of the Hotel Vermont
Friday evening. Between the courses. the
University of Vermont Glee club quar-
| tette gave selections which were decid-
eddy popular. as evidenced by the fact
that the Quartette was called back after
1t had left the dining hall. the applause
being so long continued that another
number was given. There were quite a
number of ladies present at the BANQUET
as guests of the members Of the Head
masters club. Principal John F. Col
burn of the Burlington high school pre-
sided at the informal speaking which
followed the banquet The speakers were
Clarence d. Kingsley Of Boston, Commits.
sioner NJ B. Hillegas Of Montpelier
James Hartness Of Springfield. chair
| man or the State Board OF Education, DR.
lanes Smyth Of Montreal and the Rev
y. w. Hewitt of Plainfield, former chair.
man or the State Board Of Education.
Mr. Kingsley spoke on the subject OF
Democracy as Applied TO the Schools -
He brought out the relations which
| should properly exist between the diff
ferent parts of the school system. the
superintendents, the principals and the
teachers. He emphasized the Importance
OF administration. and declared that this
consists of three departments. oreaniza
! ton, population and supervision The
| real democracy starts on the public
| schools OF the country No agency
exerts a greater influence toward democ.
racy. Children OF all nationalities and
| all stations and walks OF life asso ciate
| and learn to work together for the COM
mon good In the public schools. This
is the secret Of democracy.
Some people argue against vocational
training In the public schools, said Mr.
Kingsley. because they claim that 4,
| works against democracy But democ.
| racy and Americanization do NOT mean
making people alike. but rather appreciat-
| Ing them when they are different, Riyinr
| each man and woman the opportunity tc
| express this difference and still to work
with each other for the greater idnae
which mean the common good
Commissioner Hlllegas brought the
message of "self-expressiou' to the as
| sembly. He said that one of the main dif-
ficulties between the laboring man and
| the capitalist to-day is thai the immedi
ate superiors OF the working man have
not been able 10 keep the workrnen' q
point of view and give them the right Of
self-expression in their work Like the
average working man OF to-day. the
\ teachers OF the country are becoming
too much mere coss in a great machine
mere numbers in the reports which help
to make up the red tape of the school
| system OF to-day
The personal element should pervade
the teaching profession moro than it does
said COMMISSIONS Hillsgas Teachers
pupils. and the community should have a
personal interest In it's teachers. The Sc
cret of real teaching is "self-expression,
| int thxA mi 1y {nh