Together, the couple have coached the Mathcounts team at Sergeant Bluff-Luton Middle School, are members of the Iowa Talented and Gifted Association, taught at the Sioux City school district's Super Saturday program and work with Odyssey of the Mind and chess programs. The couple started volunteering when they began searching out activities for their own children to be involved in. The three youngsters had a wide range of abilities and interests, including astronomy, problem-solving activities and cross country. It's healthy for youngsters to learn to choose activities and their level of involvement, the parents agree. Each of the activities teach different skills while challenging students outside of the classroom, the couple say.
ACES allows students to learn math at their own pace.
The Jens children finished the high school math curriculum before they were in high school. Odyssey of the Mind and chess are good programs for all students, not just gifted ones, Deanna Jens says. Odyssey of the Mind teaches teamwork, as students work together using everyone's strengths to solve problems creatively. Chris Jens will never forget the National Scholastic Chess meet. The couple continue to be involved in students' activities because they have fun doing it, they say.