328
Kansas University Weekly.
Notes of the State Teachers' Association.
It is doubtful if there is any other body of professional workers who gather as frequently, or in such large numbers, or who enjoy their meetings as much as do teachers, especially Kansas teachers. Professional improvement is the ostensible purpose of their coming together; but often the desire to visit new scenes, to renew old or make new acquaintances, or to secure work, is at least equal to the desire for specific intellectual improvement. And in all these ways such meetings are of great benefit to the teachers, most of all to the rank and file, whose breadth of view is too often narrowed to the immediate sphere of their local activities.
The holiday meeting of the Association was not unlike those that have been held in Topeka annually for the last dozen years. There were about a thousand teachers in attendance—nearly one-tenth of the entire teaching force of the state. The program was of more than average strength, but contained none but the usual features-papers, discussions, round tables and lectures. In the aggregate, of course, there was a vast amount of material offered, some of which was very raw, but, for the most part, of real value, capable of proper and helpful assimilation by the hearers.
The plan of work adopted by the Association is very practical. There are five general sessions and two sessions in which the Association breaks up into five departments—College and High School, District and Graded School, Primary and Kindergarten, Music, and County Superintendence. In addition to these departments there were special round table discussions for City Superintendents, High School Principals, and for teachers of History and Sociology. Three of the five general meetings were mainly occupied with set addresses; the other two with papers and discussions on general educational
subjects. The department meetings were entirely given to papers and discussions along the special lines of interest for the various departments. The round tables were devoted to informal discussions of special topics.
The social element is a delightful feature of association meetings. Scores of friends, classmates and former associates meet here, perhaps for the only time in the year. The graduates and former students of many of the colleges of the state had special reunions after one of the evening meetings. Kansas University reunion was more largely attended than ever before and was an exceedingly pleasant affair. Chancellor Snow gave a short address in his happiest manner, and there was an abundance of good talk, reminiscent and otherwise, and college songs. The increasing number and the excellent quality of the University men and women who are worthily filling good positions in the teaching force of the State are a just source of pride to the University and its friends.
The most entertaining feature of the Association was the lecture on "Buttoned-up People," by Robert McIntyre, of Denver. The strongest address was the lecture on "The Professional Training of the Teacher," by President Jonn W. Cook, of the Illinois State Normal University.
Below are condensed some of the salient points developed in the discussions and general outcome of the association :
1. The necessity of reform in the certificating of teachers was strongly urged.
2. President Taylor and others made a clear presentrtion of child study as a necessary foundation for the teaching process.
3. President Dietrich's inaugural address emphasized the importance of moral culture as an element of education.
SCHMELZER ARMS CO.
PECK & SNYDER ICE SKATES.
ARMS CO. GENERAL ATHLECTIC AND SPORTING GOODS.
CATALOGUE FREE.
641 AND 543 MAIN ST. KANSAS CITY, MO.