Teachers’ Institute at the Oakwood Manual Training School
By C. J. Boyd
OUR teachers’ institute for the summer of 1916 has just closed. The last three days were spent in the arduous work of examination. Creditable work has been done by most of the class, and suitable certificates will be awarded by the respective union conference educational secretaries. We are all glad for the atmosphere of good will that prevailed among the teachers and instructors throughout this entire term of six weeks. Although the weather was hot at times, and during the last two weeks of the summer school our campus was drenched with rain, and mud was in abundance, yet pleasant smiles and cheerful words were also in abundance. The complete enrolment was thirty-two. Class work was carried on from 7 to 12 A. M., and from 3:15 to 5:30 P. M. Elder L. A. Hoopes, of the Southern Training School, had charge of the Bible work. His studies were entered into with enthusiasm on the part of the students. He also had charge of morning and evening worship, and conducted a series of Bible studies for the farm boys. The Morning Watch verses were studied with deep interest. Prof. Lynn H. Wood, the educational secretary of the Southern Union Conference, carried the work in drawing, paper cutting, and Bible Nature, and had charge of the round table. The round table hour was a time of special interest, as about thirty or forty important school problems received discussion at these meetings. Prof. Leo Thiel, educational secretary of the Southeastern Union Conference, had charge of the work in history, geography, and arithmetic. Mrs. Marian Marshall, normal instructor at the Southern Training School, taught the class in primary methods and monumental work. We believe her work in behalf of the teachers will prove exceptionally helpful to them in their future work. Mrs. Maude Wood taught the class in grammar and assisted in the monumental work. Miss Bertha Bartholomew, normal instructor at Oakwood Manual Training School, conducted for a time a model school, and also assisted with the monumental work. Miss Etta Reeder, superintendent of the nurses’ training department of the Oakwood school, carried the work in physiology. She also made some “first aid” demonstrations at the round table, and gave each of the teachers a thorough examination, notes of which are preserved in the regular records of the institution. Prof. P. C. Parks (colored), who is connected with the United States Agricultural Department, gave one lecture each week on farm and home topics. An effort was made throughout the entire institute to arouse an interest in the subject of school gardens, poultry, dairy, canning, and topics of general interest to social and community workers. The writer carried the work in spelling, and also some in arithmetic. At the morning chapel talks, subjects of interest to educators were taken up by various teachers. Elder Hoopes’s talks and charts on organization were profitable and timely. We were pleased to have a visit from Sister Anna Knight, who is one of our old and tried workers. Her personal talks to the teachers were practical and enthusiastic. We believe that the influence of this institute will be felt throughout the educational ranks of our colored people, and that the efforts put forth will prove of lasting benefit. It is our desire to see this work more firmly established, and we know the strength gained by these teachers will qualify them to do better work in the schools among our colored constituency in the South. May the Lord’s blessing be added as our teachers go forth from this gathering to take up the work of dealing with the tender minds of the children.