|

Dr. Judy (Stenftenagel) Englert seeking District 1 Greater Jasper School Board seat

Dr. Judy (Stenftenagel) Englert is seeking election to the Greater Jasper Consolidated School Corporation Board District 1 seat.

Dr. Englert is a Jasper High School graduate who attended Indiana University before completing medical school and ophthalmology residency at Duke University. Afterward, she completed a pediatric ophthalmology fellowship in Charleston, S.C. She returned to Southern Indiana in 1999 after being offered a position in Evansville.

After a stint in Evansville, she said she and her husband, Glen, returned to Jasper to be closer to family and to ensure their children attended Jasper schools.

“I feel people, especially those with children, who grow up in Jasper and leave for a bit to experience other areas of the country really learn to appreciate what Jasper has to offer in regards to the community and school system,” Dr. Englert said. “The schools are such an important part of this community, and the public support of our kids is really noticed and envied by surrounding area schools.” 

According to Dr. Englert, she has had an interest in being part of the school board since she worked a summer job at the Greater Jasper Consolidated School Corporation superintendent’s office.

“As seen by my extensive years of training after high school, I am very passionate about education,” she explained. “Now that my youngest child just acquired her driver’s license, I feel the timing is right for me personally. Also, the incumbent in my district has been serving for 16 years, and I think this would be a good time for a change – a new vision and voice on the board.”

According to Dr. Englert, education and health care greatly parallel each other. Both have heavy government regulation, increasing costs with decreasing quality, and overwhelming responsibilities on those working in the field, which can frequently lead to burnout. 

“I understand these issues, which is why I am running for the school board,” she said.

She feels the current board members up for re-election are mostly concerned about budgets and buildings. 

“As a small business owner, I understand their importance,” Dr. Englert said. “However, a successful school corporation must also address those within the school buildings – the teachers, students, and administrators.”

She is concerned about the impact of the pandemic and societal swings — pointing to what she calls the “woke movement” — that has swept the nation.

“Throughout my work day, I regularly interact with youth and their parents on every level of the social ladder, just as teachers do,” she said. “I see the issues our youth and teachers are facing, and I would like to try to help maintain and improve the tradition of academic excellence our community expects and deserves.”

She points to her upbringing on a farm as well as the solid Jasper education she received beginning at Ireland Elementary and ending with her being named valedictorian of the Jasper High School graduating class of 1986 which has helped her to be successful.

The Englerts have three children, Jared (senior at Rose-Hulman), Spencer (freshman at USI), and Ava (high school junior). 

“Being a working mom in a demanding career has been a challenge for me, but it has been so rewarding,” Dr. Englert said. “I have a lot for which to be proud, but my greatest accomplishment has been my three wonderful children.”

Dr. Englert remains involved with the schools and community. “When I am not working, you can find me at school sporting events,” she said. “I am a member of boys’ basketball booster club and a parent volunteer for girls’ volleyball and track.  My family regularly attends St. Mary Church in Ireland, and every year you will find me working the quilt stand at the Ireland church picnic.” 

She is also a member of the physician’s by-laws committee at Memorial Hospital and a member of the Evansville Surgery Center Physician’s Corporation in Evansville. 

Share

3 Comments

  1. Funny how everyone running for school board is non partisan! If they state they are not partisan, then they should be required to at least tell the public what political party they voted for to be the President of the United States. The last thing we need is another liberal on our local school board!

    Jeff Fisher, US Army Ret., M.Ed.
    Retired Indiana Educator

    1. Mr. Fisher, the school board is a non-partisan position, which is why all candidates file that way. However, to answer your question, I am a registered republican. If you have any questions and would like to contact me directly, please email me at steve@lukemeyer.com.

  2. I believe we addressed this on Facebook. Thanks for your interest in our school system!
    Judy Englert

Comments are closed.