New director helps parents serve as teachers

In their third year of the Parents As Teachers program at Eugene Elementary School, Jessi Woodberry, 3, works on coordination and attention by building a block tower with her mother Renae, left. They met with Melissa Bungart, who is in her first year as the Parents As Teachers director at Eugene.
In their third year of the Parents As Teachers program at Eugene Elementary School, Jessi Woodberry, 3, works on coordination and attention by building a block tower with her mother Renae, left. They met with Melissa Bungart, who is in her first year as the Parents As Teachers director at Eugene.

EUGENE, Mo. - Renae Woodberry is grateful for the Parents As Teachers program at Eugene Elementary School.

"It's helpful to know your child is on track," she said. "The reassurance is a nice feeling."

Parents As Teachers director Melissa Bungart recently met with Woodberry and her daughter Jessi, 4, for a regular visit. Bungart provided at-home activities to help Jessi develop skills, and she also provided benchmarks of what the average child at her age is capable of.

She shared other information as well, including research on the benefits of consistant routines and a healthy amount of sleep time.

Although Jessi is in the preschool program this year, Woodberry decided to continue in the free Parents As Teachers program for a third year.

"It's the best case scenario," Bungart assured.

That option isn't available at all Missouri public schools, due to funding cuts. Many schools have focused the Parents As Teachers program on prenatal to 3-year-olds.

"The first three years are crucial to growth and development," Bungart said. "We want to reach kids and educate parents on best practices."

The key to the program is in its name - the educators support the parents in their role as teacher and caretaker. That requires a flexible schedule on Bungart's part to meet when and where is convenient for parents and families.

She conducts home visits and opens her room full of fun, educational activities to parents one-on-one for regular programming.

"Jessi loves this room," Woodberry said.

In addition to the colorful toys and stations for toddlers, the Parents As Teachers room has other resources for parents including books and contact information for local agencies.

"Our goal is to connect parents with resources," Bungart said.

The Eugene Parents As Teachers program has 33 active families from 51 invited. Connecting with first-time young families probably is Bungart's biggest challenge.

"My goal is to reach more families," she said. "It makes my job more important when the parent might not have the skills or the child is behind in an area of development."

As Woodberry said, the reassurance a child is on track is the most appreciated part of her job, Bungart said.

Coming from a nursing background, Bungart said she is comfortable doing health screenings for development, hearing, vision and dental.

After working as a school nurse in Russellville, Bungart said she realized she wanted to have more interaction with the students. So she returned to school for an elementary education degree with an emphasis in early childhood from Lincoln University.

"This job is a perfect combination of nursing with a teaching background," Bungart said.