Bethel Learning Center to honor retiring executive director at fundraising gala

Bethel Learning Center’s faculty, staff, students and alumni are celebrating the career and retirement of their beloved executive director and teacher Georgia DeClark with a fundraising gala at Elmhurst’s historical Wilder Mansion on Thursday, April 24.

The affectionately named “Gems Gala” will raise funds to honor the exceptional staff at Bethel Learning Center and ensure the school continues to deliver high-quality early childhood education.

The proceeds from the gala will also support an upgrade to the school’s playground, as well as enhancing the day-to-day operations of the preschool.

As a passionate advocate for learning through play, DeClark has spent her career providing children with the foundation for lifelong success. She has been committed to the philosophy that learning needs to be hands-on, engaging, and filled with the constructing of relationships. She emphasizes the importance of play as an essential tool in helping children develop key life skills, such as problem-solving, communication, social interaction, and creativity.

“Great teaching is not only about fostering academic success, but also about creating an environment where children can thrive emotionally, socially, and intellectually through play-based learning,” DeClark said. “Preschool teachers are often the first line in nurturing these essential components that set children up for future success.”

The event promises a fun evening with entertainment, raffles and a silent auction, and features the launch of DeClark’s long-awaited book, “Precious Gems; The World Through the Eyes of Preschoolers,” which boasts a collection of 25 years of her students’ funniest observations, or, as she refers to them, her “gems.”

Gala tickets and book pre-orders are available at www.blcelmhurst.org/blc-gala.

“Through the funds raised at the ‘Gems Gala,’ I hope we can help BLC continue to be a great place for local kids and teachers to do the work of learning through play,” DeClark said.

For more information or to make a donation to Bethel Learning Center, visit www.blcelmhurst.org.