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NewsOctober 19, 1999

Jane Womack likens herself to a dinosaur. She readily compares herself to the extinct animals because she prefers the traditional approach to teaching history and current events over techniques used by more technology-oriented teachers. Womack said her biggest challenge is presenting issues in an objective manner. ...

Jane Womack likens herself to a dinosaur.

She readily compares herself to the extinct animals because she prefers the traditional approach to teaching history and current events over techniques used by more technology-oriented teachers.

Womack said her biggest challenge is presenting issues in an objective manner. Cape Girardeau Central High School has a diverse enrollment, and discussions about current events often become highly emotional as students share opinions they have formed based on media sources and discussions with parents and peers, she said.

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"My classes are often as controversial as the subject matter they cover, and arguments have been known to erupt from discussions," said Womack, who is also a graduate of Central High School. "It's my philosophy that our leaders and voters of tomorrow must be well-informed and have opinions based on facts rather than emotions."

Because of the controversial discussions, Womack said her classroom welcomes "Thinking Tigers," regardless of who they are. "My classroom is a safe haven that is always directed at teaching students to learn from our past to prepare for their futures," she said.

Womack serves as the unofficial historian at her school and can be relied upon to share entertaining tales of former teachers, students and administrators that few others know.

Outside her classroom, she enjoys reading, athletics and, most important, her role as grandmother. During the summer, she is teaching her grandson, Cambron, to swim and play golf, just as she did his dad, Brad.

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