Year: 1869

Gentlemen Il make the following
report upon the condition Of the
schools taught in the town of Albany,
during the past year:


From experience, know that su-
perintendent cannot form correct con-
clusions of the condition of the schools
from the few short visits which he
makes to them during the year, for
some appear better when the super
intendent is visiting them than they
do at other times, while others do not
appear as well. For this reason, |
have not reported them separately,
fearing that l might do injustice to
some of the teachers, while to others
| might give more credit than was
really due them, but have made report
of those general appearances Of which
| could Judge correctly.


Most of the schools in the summer
and many in the winter season were
taught by young and inexperienced
teachers, consequently there has not
been that system and regularity in
recitations that might have been ex-
pected from those more experienced
in school teaching; yet some OF these
young teachers have acquitted them
selves in a manner that recommends
them to the patronage of the public
as instructors of the youth Of Yer
mont. | regret to say that this last
remark is not applicable to all, ard
that many Of them would have sue
ceeded far better in a business suited
to their natures. Such teachers not
only take our money without return
ing All equivalent, but entail upon our
youth an injury that time and labor
cannot wholly remove; and as youth
is the time when impressions are made
lasting marks of bad instructions will
cling to the unfortunate recipient
through life.


A great responsibility rests upon
the committees of our common schools,
and if they would thus regard it, and
employ teachers who were such by
natures and qualifications, and vino
rightly appreciated the magnitude OF
the work in which they were employ
ed, we might then expect a successful
school reform.


In my visits to the schools, | have
carefully examined the registers |
find that few visits are made by the
members of the several districts who
have the greatest pecuniary interest
in the schools. This shows that little
interest for the Improvement of our
schools is felt by the community, and
that our past unsuccessful efforts TO
reform and improve the condition of
our common schools are natural re-
suits which flow from the present un-
healthy condition Of public sentiment.
How can we expect that teachers
will feel an interest that is not shar.
ed by their employers! We may
legislate upon reform, establish State
Normal schools in every town in the
state, and pay thousands of dollars to
our Board of Education. yet we can
never accomplish anything until the
public take more interest in the affairs
of their own schools.


No trouble has occurred in any of
The schools except the one at South
Albany, taught by Miss Ada Cham
berlin who has hitherto been sue
cessful teacher and given good satis-
faction. | was well pleased with her
school at Albany Centre and also the
one at South Albany, which l visited
but short time before she left |
am unable to decide which party was


in fault, but | still regard Miss Cham


berlin as one of our best teachers.


From inquiry and observation l


think that the schools taught in this


town the past year will compare ia


vorably with those previously taught


here, yet they have fallen far short of
what they should have been and of


what our Board of Education are try


ing to make them. In my visits to


the schools [ have examined the most


advanced classes in arithmetic for the


purpose of reporting the one that


should make the greatest advance


ment during the year, and l think that


that class is at South Albany, COM


posed of Eliza Ames, Lillian Fairmau,
; Elsie Smede, Agnes Brooks and Will
lie Bailey.
W. w. MILES.