Gloria Jones, a Southeast Missouri State University graduate and native of Cape Girardeau, has been selected as the 1998 Outstanding Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year by the National Council for Social Studies.

Jones, who lives in Springfield, Mo., will be honored at the 78th National Council for the Social Studies annual conference Nov. 21 in Anaheim, Calif.

She will receive a commemorative gift, national publicity, a one-year membership to the National Council and a $2,500 gift from the award sponsor, "Weekly Reader."

Jones won the council's state award in 1997.

Ironically, this is the first year in 32 years that Jones hasn't taught in the classroom. She is now the curriculum specialist for elementary social studies and a remedial reading specialist.

She graduated from Southeast in 1966 with a bachelor of science degree in elementary education. Four years later, she received a master of arts degree in elementary education.