Our schools closed for the summer vacation yesterday, and as this also brings to an end the present school year and will mark the retirement of Prof. W. F. Shero as principal a short report will not be out of place.  That the school, under the efficient management of Mr. Shero, has been a success, all fair-minded people must acknowledge and is fully proven by the following figures.  During his first year the average attendance was but 156, while during the present year the average attendance has been 205, of which quite a number were non-resident pupils.  Total number enrolled the present year 279; average percentage of attendance 93; a very good showing indeed.  Higher grades of studies have been introduced by Mr. Shero, with flattering results. 

Three pupils, Lucy Backus, Helen M. Choate and William Herzog graduated in the English and Latin courses and one, Fred D. Gallup in the college preparatory course.

As a further mark of success of Mr. Shero's work it may be mentioned that several of his pupils taught school in this county with success the past term.  We but echo the sentiments of many of our best citizens when we say we regret his determination of withdrawing from the school and wish him an abundant success in his future undertakings.

TEACHERS’ INSTITUTE
McKean County Democrat
November 3rd, 1859

The fifth annual session of the McKean County Teachers’ Institute, just closed, was characterized by a degree of interest, intelligence and application, equal if not superior to any former session.
The attendance was large, comprising of nearly all the teachers of the county, excepting a few who were absent attending school at Alfred and other places, showing that the minds of the teschers of McKean are fixed upon progression and improvement, and determined to become not only “school keepers” but able, industrious, and exalted members of the Teacher’s noble profession.
During the week instruction was givben in all of the branches taught in the Common School, with special reference to the methods of teaching them to children.
The County Suyperintendent, Prof. Allen, of Alfred University, J.F. Cone, S.O. Tenney, Miss Olive Irons and others, assisted in conducting the exercises. A lecture was delivered on Wednesday evening by Prof. Allen, on Thursday by L. R. Wisner, Co. Superintendent, and on Friday by Warren Cowles, Esq. They were all able and interesting productions and were listened to Academy, by Rev. Cornforth- subject the Bible in the Common Schools.
The following is the list of teachers present. It is hoped that Directors in making selections for their winter schools will give them the preference, as it is believed that they are better prepared to discharge the duties of the duties of the school room than those who do not feel interest enough in the cause to spend one week in the year in learning how best to impart instruction to those under their care.

Smethport
P.S. Allen
R. Williamson
Imelda Younge
S. D. White
Julia McCoy
E. E. Bellows
Ama Bishop
Hannah McElva
Charles Rice
Ellen McCoy
E.A. Winsor
Olive Irons

Ceres
M.E. Bee
Annie Kinney
M.A. Lackay

Elon
M. Chevalier

Eldred
Harriet Shaw
Garphilia Maxson
Kate McMann
A.E. Morris
E. Young

Port Allegany
E.C. Barnaby
I.H. Coon
Ama Lillibridge
Sallie Vosburgh
E.A. Grigsby
J.F. Cone

Bradford
Truman Hammond
E.N. Howard
E. Drake
Mary Holmes
Phebe Strong
Abbey Edson
Mary Fisher
Olive Fisher

Lafayette
C.N. Tenney
S.O. Tenney

Sharon Centre, PA
C.M. Starkweather

Shippen
C.C. Freeman
E.A. Taggart
J.F. Chadwick

Farmer’s Valley
Ellen Otto
A.A. Barrett
Erina Pelton
Lucy Beers
W.R. Barrett
H.B. Barrett
Sarah Strong

Norwich
H.A. Colegrove
Kate S. Wright
Phebe A. Davis