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Two hundred and fifty teachers, religious and lay, from the
archdiocesan Catholic schools met last Thursday at Saint Joseph High School in
Atlanta for an all-day Teachers Institute.
Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan, in his welcome address, said in part,
My relationship with you all, both religious and lay, is that of a
partner. All of us together seeking wisdom both in its acquisition and in its
transmission. There is no task that is any nobler, there is no task that is
more urgent in our times and so I greet you as a fellow teacher, with full
knowledge you and I hold very responsible positions not only in the Church but
also in our community and as citizens in our state.
Monsignor E. Stuardi, the superintendent of schools in the
Mobile-Birmingham Diocese, in his keynote address stressed many changes that
have taken place in the past ten years. He said, Our schools are in the
spotlight. It is necessary to strive for excellence in our schools, in our
teaching, and in our products.
In addressing the high school teachers on the subject of
adolescent psychology, Professor Karl C. Garrison, chairman of the Department
of Educational Psychology, University of Georgia stressed the fact that we have
students with problems---not problem students.
He reminded the teachers of the basic need of the students,
particularly affection and security. In respect to affection, he
said, there are two extremesoverindulgence and neglect, and
overindulgence is as harmful to a child as neglect.
Professor Garrison told the assembled teachers that teenagers feel
apart and there seems to be no place for them in todays world. He
recalled his boyhood on the farm where he had many definite chores to do. He
knew he was needed and wanted. He stated that teachers and parents can give
teenagers a sense of security by giving them a sound philosophy of life.
Another speaker at the Institute was Sister Mary Jerome, O.S.F.,
of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Delegates were also treated to selections by the St. Joseph High
Glee Club, under the direction of Sister M. Magdalla, C.S.J., and a choral
recitation---the Creation by St. John the Evangelist first grade pupils.
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