He served as the president of several normal schools and educational associations along the eastern seaboard.

He also served as the vice-president of the first International Conference of Educators, over which he presided at the centennial exposition in 1876.

[3] In 1875, Phelps published two volumes of reports on the New Jersey and Minnesota normal schools, The Teachers' Handbook (1875, which was translated into Spanish for the use of the Argentine Republic).

The following year he moved to Wisconsin, where he served as the vice-president of the first International Conference of Educators.

Additional published works by Phelps include five brochures for the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle (CLSC), founded in 1878 by Bishop Vincent.

In 1878, Phelps received a silver medal from the Paris exposition as an educational collaborator and author.

At the Paris exposition of 1878, he was awarded an honorary diploma in recognition of his work, along with a silver medal as an educational collaborator and author.