Sometimes the best way to improve things is to first realize just what possibilities exist elsewhere in the world.

That is just what a small group of Natchez civic, elected and school leaders did recently when they went on a road trip to visit several Louisiana career academies.

Representatives with the Natchez-Adams County Educational Development Foundation, the Natchez-Adams School Board, the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce, Alcorn State University and the Adams County Board of Supervisors made the trip together.

The goal of the trip was simple: Giving all the various stakeholders some examples of the “what ifs” that could occur with a similar approach to career-focused education in our community.

We applaud the group for spending the time to go, look and learn from others.

Looking at our community’s public education endeavors with fresh eyes and learning from others who do things seemingly better than we do is a great way for our community to grow and prosper.

Sadly, our community does not do enough of that kind of fact-finding missions anymore. As a result, we are not as sharp and focused on improving things as we once were.

That approach could help our community on many fronts. Learning from others is not difficult. It simply starts by wanting to improve and having the realization that learning from others is possible.