The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1921-01-28
ORLEANS CO..
TEACHERS MEET
In NEWPORT
Interesting Speakers Heard
by Teachers-Address by
PaysOn Smith

AT the opening exercises Of the
Orleans County Teachers Associa-
ton at School Hall, Newport Thurs
dav afternoon, Payson Smith, Massa-
chuSctts Commissioner of Education,
delivered one Of the most enlightning
addresses on the present day sys-
TEN of education, ever heard in
this city. His remarks were heard by
200 teachers, constituting the rural,
graded and high school instructors in
Orleans County.
Mr.. Smith emphasized the quality
Of human sympathy on the part of
the teacher for the student. He de
clared rather in favor of the teacher,
who loved the children, AMI educated
them in that atmosphere of sympathy
than in favor of the type of teacher
interested only in the subject matter.
He urged a close study of the pro-
gressiyc movements of the education
in the ear future. The next decade,
according to Mr.. Smith will enfold
many developments hitherto unknown
along educational lines. It is especi-
ally important that every teacher
keep in close touch with every for
ward step in the profession Of in
Jtructing the present generations of
youth,
The great Importance of the teach
CT in the life of the student was
brought homo to the audience in a
striking manner by Mr.. Smith. Some
times in the life of the student, the
influence OF the teacher exceeds even
Edwards OF Newport. At the CON
highly incumbent upon the teacher
to get things and subject matter, I'm
der instruction, in the proper per
5pective.
A fragrant failure of American cdu-
cation today is lack of thoroughness.
in instilling knowledge in the minds
Of the young. Mr.. Smith asserted
that we are crowding into the schools,
and examining the brains of the stu
dents with too much propaganda. He
raped influential men and law-mak-
ers who have passed, over the heads
of school committees, legislation 10
cause the instruction of su|pelfiuous
subject matter to already overworkcd
school children.
In closing, Mr.. Smith pleaded for
added effort on part of the teacher
to lead community. state, and nation
al life. Leadership should be exercised
IN order that the little children may
make a full contribution Of their lives
TO the common good.
The meeting was opened at $50
with the invocation by the Rev. L. A.
Edward sof Newport. At the con-
clusion of Commissioner Smiths
splendid address, Rev. Edwards led
IN d community sing. Thereupon. fol
an interesting address by Hon.
John ". Redmond, president of the
Vermont Bar Association. Attorney
Redmond was formerly q high school
teacher after his graduation from the
University of Vermont in the class CT
1886. He spoke reminicently Of his
experienced as a teacher, and gave
the large audience Of instructors, as
sembled in School Hall, some ex-
ceptlonally pertinent, forceful, and
beneficial advice.
School is a nursery for the educa-
ton Of children. The educated mar
differs from the uneducated mar in
that the mind of the former is train
On the other hand the mind of
the other is unframed. There is only
one way to secure education, asserted
Hon. John W. Redmond, and this
method is to exercise the mind. He
cXhorted the teachers to bear continu-
ally in mind, the objective Of develop
ing the child to the fullest capacity,
mentally, morally and physically.
Prin. a. W. Stone Of Derby Acad-
cmy presided over the exercises in
the afternoon. Thursday evening, d..
c. F. Dalton, secretary Of the State
of Health, spoke on The
Health Of the School Child
Dr.. Dalton quoted statistic, to
show that of the $1,000 student, in
schools, co per cent if eX-
amined would display some defect of
a more or less serious nature. Some
one must safeguard the health Of
the healthy children, and remedy, if
possible, the defective children. The
State Board Of Health is responsible
to some extent for the physical well
fare Of these children, but the teach
eIs, themselves. are in the best posi-