Jennifer Ahrens

Jennifer Ahrens

School of Professional Advancement

(she/her)

Education & Affiliations

  • PhD, Education. Texas State University
  • MEd, Exercise Science, Texas State University
  • BS, Kinesiology, University of Texas, Arlington

Biography

Jennifer Ahrens' is an adjunct instructor in Tulane SoPA's Kinesiology Program. Her research interests includes working with pre-kindergarten children and developing movement programs for children attending preschool at San Marcos CISD and Head Start children in San Marcos, TX. She is currently investigating whether fine motor skills are enhanced during a Mastery Motivational Climate. The project includes working with 4-year-old children and scissor cutting within a mastery motivational climate. Additionally, Jennifer is a service-learning fellow at Texas State University as well as the coordinator for the Physical Education Teacher Education program. In addition to her work with early childhood, she is the summer camp director for the Texas State Autism Camp where she works with children with Autism in a variety of therapies that include but are not limited to aquatic, music, art, play and animal therapy.

Courses Taught

  • KINE 3130 Motor Development

Professional Experience

  • Head Start
  • San Marcos CISD
  • Texas State University

Areas of Expertise

  • early childhood
  • fine motor skills
  • motor development
  • gross motor development
  • Autism