Monday, August 10, 2009
Education major interns in Lugar's Evansville office
Zenthoefer
"We're trying to fill the need for the whole child," she said. "Children have to have their physical and emotional needs met before they can thrive in the classroom." Zenthoefer compiled information about resources that can help teachers increase parental involvement in their children's education or help parents find assistance with issues, such as housing or health, that may prevent their children from thriving at school. For instance, she recommends the National Dairy Council for its excellent materials on nutrition. Ultimately, her report may be used throughout the state. Larry Ordner, director of Lugar's Southern Indiana office in Evansville, said “We are pleased to have Amy as our first intern from the Bower-Suhrheinrich College of Education and Human Services. Studies show that parent or family involvement makes a big difference in determining whether a student is able to reach his or her potential. As a result, Senator Lugar's office is working to put together a set of resources for schools and parents with ideas on how to increase parental engagement. As a student teacher and a parent herself, Amy brings a special expertise to this project. We are thrilled to have her." In connection with her research, Zenthoefer attended meetings with Evansville area school officials and staff members from Lugar's Washington office. She also worked closely with Georgiana Reynal of the senator's Indianapolis office. A nontraditional student, Zenthoefer has always wanted to be a teacher, following in the footsteps of her mother who taught for 30 years in Owensboro, Kentucky. Zenthoefer's primary interest is middle school mathematics and science. Her goal is to be prepared to teach by the time her youngest child enters kindergarten. She and her husband Roger have four children: Devan, 17 Kayla, 9 Nathaniel, 4 and Samantha, 2. The family lives in Haubstadt, Indiana. |
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