The role of female educators in the Brazilian Amazon community of Itaituba (population in 1970: 12,690) has fallen short of that envisioned by the policymakers and social scientists in the early 1970s, as indicated by research conducted in 1976-77. Based on the "human capital" theory, better-trained local teachers were to train the local labor force, thereby improving productivity. Itaituba experienced rapid growth during the 1970s due to the construction of two federal highways. A new middle class emerged, of which female educators were an important segment. More students were reached and they stayed in school longer. After graduating, however, they left the community in search of more education and better jobs. By 1977 it was clear that the contribution of female educators to the economic development of the region was negligible, although they were able to promote community life, national integration, and patriotic nationalism in ways consistent with gender and class expectations and restraints (social class inequality that often benefits middle- and upper-class women outweighed gender inequality). At present, cheap unskilled labor is in more demand than skilled, productive--and more expensive--labor. Thus, the effort to develop human capital remains an ideal rather than a reality in frontier communities like Itaituba. Thirty-two references are appended. (JMM)