Amy Wentworth ʼ92 replaces husband as Indian Valley school superintendent

 

Amy Wentworth ʼ92 replaces husband as Indian Valley school superintendent

Amy Wentworth, superintendent of New Philadelphia City Schools, was granted a three-year contract, effective August 1, 2026, with Indian Valley, her alma mater. She will be replacing her husband, Ira Wentworth, who is entering retirement. Contrary to appearances, he had nothing to do with the district’s decision to hire her. Rather, she was selected for her years of experience in education, which have included various leadership and administrative roles.

Wentworth never imagined serving as a principal or superintendent when she first entered the field of education. Though she cannot pinpoint one exact moment that “shift” happened for her, she is grateful for the people and opportunities that have led her to where she is now. “I was encouraged to try administration, and I’m glad I did because I find this job very rewarding,” said Wentworth. She graduated from Indian Valley High School in 1989 as a co-valedictorian. Her class was the district’s very first graduating class due to the consolidation of Indian Valley North and Indian Valley South during the 1988-1989 school year.  It was during Wentworth’s high school years that she developed a passion for education. The building she was in also housed the elementary school, so rather than going to study hall, Wentworth chose to volunteer in a third-grade classroom. As she worked closely with struggling students, she noticed that eventually, they would experience what she calls a “light bulb moment,” or that moment when the student finally understands what was once difficult. “That feeling of helping students accomplish something and be successful cannot be matched by anything else,” said Wentworth. “It is still what drives me.”      When the time came to pursue her undergraduate degree, Wentworth was drawn to Malone largely because of the university’s Christian values. She loved the school’s motto of “Christ’s Kingdom First,” a principle she herself strives to live by. Wentworth remembers her time at Malone fondly as it was both a fun and formative chapter of her life. She was very active in student government, serving as vice president of the student body her junior year. 

Malone was also where she met husband, Ira Wentworth ʼ93, another math education major. When recounting her Malone experience, one of Wentworth’s favorite highlights by far was student teaching in Guatemala. Wentworth, along with four other students, taught in a small, English-speaking school for children of missionaries. The experience was highly immersive, as the students lived with a missionary couple full-time for the three months they were there. They also received exposure to the Spanish language and Guatemalan culture through sightseeing and tourism on the weekends. Wentworth says the experience has come “full circle” now as New Philadelphia has seen a huge increase in English-language learner students, most of whom are from Guatemala. 

“Malone is near and dear to my heart and my husband’s heart,” she said. “We will always be Malone supporters because we truly believe the time we spent there set us up for the wonderful lifetime we’ve had together, serving God and being able to do that in a public education setting.” Since graduating from Malone, Wentworth has been making strides in the world of education. In addition to her nine years of classroom teaching, she has served as a middle school principal and an elementary school principal for two years each. In the New Philadelphia district, she was assistant superintendent for six years, which eventually led to her promotion to superintendent, a role she has held since 2021. Though she was initially apprehensive about applying when she heard about the opening at Indian Valley, she ultimately felt that the Lord was calling her back to her alma mater. 

Grateful to be a part of a district that once shaped her so significantly as a student, Wentworth is looking forward to operating in a modern, updated facility. While she recognizes that she and her husband have very different personalities, she is proud of all the work he has poured into the district, noting that she wants to continue the “great culture” he has already established.   Wentworth knows she has big shoes to fill, but is nonetheless excited about her future at Indian Valley. “I feel like I’m going home,” she says.