Page:The Afro-American Press.djvu/15

Rh succeeding school year, and, in consequence, he taught a school in Bedford County, Virginia. After teaching for one school year, he decided to re-enter the high school, from which he graduated in 1886. Before he graduated, he accepted a position on the editorial staff of The Lynchburg Laborer.

The subject of our sketch has had almost five years experience as a teacher, and has successfully managed county and city schools During 1883-4, ne taught with credit to himself, and satisfaction to his superintendent and patrons, a school in Bedford County, Virginia. During the school year 1886-7, he superintended a school in Amherst County, Virginia. In 1887 he was elected as a teacher in the public schools of Lynchburg, and, in a short time, arose to the position of principal. Though he is young, his executive ability enables him to discharge well the duties of his responsible post.

Mr. Penn seeks to inform himself on the principles and methods of education. He aims to keep abreast of the times by purchasing and studying the works of leading writers on educational methods. He is in deep sympathy with The New Education, which has so materially changed in the last eight years our educational modes and systems. Nor is he insensible to the merits and excellencies of leading Colored American educators, but aims to learn from all that he may make his own school the more excellent. He has attended several institutes for teachers, and exhibited earnestness and industry in class recitations. As an educator, he takes as his motto—"Labor et perseverentia omnia vincunt." (Labor and persevarenceperseverance [sic] conquer all things.)

The subject of our sketch accepted a position upon the editorial staff of The Lynchburg Laborer before his graduation. In 1886 Messrs. Penn and Johnson purchased it, and Mr. Penn took control of the editorial department. The paper was not properly supported, and its publication was suspended. As editor of this paper, Mr. Penn proved himself a skilled and forcible writer. Though he was only about twenty years of age, he evinced a good acquaintance with practical life and the needs of the race. He freely and frequently discussed questions relating to the material,