Seven Cape Girardeau teachers attended the 1991 Missouriana study tour in Jefferson City June 16-28.
Among 43 teachers from across the state participating were Ann Freeman, Dorothy Evans, Ann Hutson, Betty Heisserer, Jan Meyer and Judy Peetz, all from Jefferson Elementary School, and Shelby Shell from Central Junior High School.
The event is sponsored by the Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce and Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg.
The study tour, now in its 39th year, is designed to give teachers a first-hand view of business, how it works and the problems it faces. Teachers visited a variety of businesses.
Larry Jones, professor of computer and office information systems at Central Missouri State University, said: "We find that many teachers who cover economic materials in their classrooms have little knowledge of the subject beyond theory. The study tour shows them economics in action."
Teachers were given background in the economy, history, government and geography of Missouri.
"They visit various types of businesses," said David Lankford, vice president of education for the Missouri Chamber of Commerce. "While touring facilities, they talk with both management and employees to learn about the problems and challenges that business and industry face today. Afternoons and evenings are spent visiting sights of interest in the area."
Teachers who participate in the tour may receive three semester hours of college credit. Businesses offer scholarships to teachers to cover two-thirds of the program cost.
Evans was sponsored by Union Electric. Hutson, Heisserer, Shell and Meyer were sponsored by Southwestern Bell, and Freeman and Peetz were sponsored by PDC Funds.
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