About BELC

OUR STORY
OUR EXECUTIVE STAFF
OUR TEACHERS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CONTACT

Our Story

Bethel Lutheran Church possesses a long and storied history of commitment to the education of children in the East Dallas community. Since 1965, the current Bethel campus has continuously hosted a school dedicated to educating the whole child – body, mind, and spirit. The Bethel campus has experienced programs ranging from an elementary school to a Mother’s Day Out program to the current offering, an early learning center focused on infants through pre-kindergarten students combined with summer care for elementary-aged children.

While the offerings may have changed over the years, the most important reason for existence remains the same: caring and nurturing teachers sharing God’s love daily while developing students physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. Understanding that 90% of a child’s brain develops in the first five years, every curriculum level offered at Bethel Early Learning Center includes a variety of intriguing exercises that encourage early brain development with focus on creative play allowing each child to reach their full potential. We believe offering challenging curriculum within a nurturing and Christ-centered environment results in thriving students. The program operates year-round, with a more traditional academic curriculum running from September through May followed by age-appropriate “camp-style” activities over the summer months. Bethel Early Learning Center programs are available for infants up through pre-kindergarten age.

Our Executive Staff

Takanya Spencer

DIRECTOR OF BETHEL ELC

I am honored and humbled to serve as Director at Bethel Early Learning Center. My first teaching job was at Crestworth Elementary in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where I taught Kindergarten. It was there, in that role, that I truly fell in love with the magical world of educating and shaping little minds. Since then I have had the opportunity to serve hundreds of children and have always felt that I was charged with the task of shaping the future through what I do and say in the classroom. I was a classroom teacher for 17 years and worked with students from Kindergarten through fourth grade. I have served as Director of Bethel ELC since 2016. I’m passionate about instilling knowledge into the hearts and minds of little learners and understand how to prepare children for their school age years.

I enjoy reading various types of literature ranging from poetry and autobiographies to the latest popular kids series. Bookstores and libraries hold a very special place in my heart. A lot of my time outside Bethel ELC is spent with my husband and three of our greatest joys in life, Xavier, Isaiah and Zaylen. In my spare time, I teach Zumba fitness to a fun and enthusiastic group of men and women.

I am honored to help provide a learning environment that encompasses rich experiences that promote character development and growth. It gives me great joy to be a part of the Bethel Early Learning Center family and I look forward to working alongside parents and staff to ensure the growth and success of little learners.

EDUCATION

Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education
M.Ed in Administration and Supervision

CERTIFICATIONS

Texas Educator Certification - Early Childhood through Fourth

Takanya Spencer

Cindi Stewart

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

I have been a part of the Bethel family for 10 years. I have an enormous amount of love and history associated with both the church and school. My husband attended Bethel Lutheran Church as a young boy and my three children attended Bethel ELC 20 years ago. My daughter has continued our Bethel ELC legacy by becoming a teacher and serving alongside me. I began at Bethel ELC in the Toddler room and have been the Pre-K teacher for the past seven years. In 2012, I became the assistant director where I have the opportunity to continue to serve children and parents in a different, yet rewarding way. Bethel ELC will always hold a special place in my heart.

Our Teachers

Bethel Early Learning Center teachers possess over 100 years of combined teaching experience at BELC across multiple age groups. The Bethel ELC staff also holds multiple certifications for early childhood education as well as receives a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education individually per year.

Board of Directors

Bethel ELC is governed by an independent Board of Directors which has the authority, power, and responsibility for the general management, control, and supervision of the affairs, business, activities, property and assets of the center.

Gail Winningham

PRESIDENT

Ms. Winningham is a long-time member of Bethel Lutheran Church and is a retired director of a local Lutheran preschool. Ms. Winningham’s early childhood education experience spans decades. Ms. Winningham holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Concordia University, Nebraska and a Masters of Education from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. Currently, she serves as a member of the Lutheran Church Texas District Early Childhood Council.

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VICE PRESIDENT

Janet Burkhard

SECRETARY

Ms. Burkhard is the parent of a former Bethel ELC student and a long-time member of Bethel Lutheran Church. Ms. Burkhard’s experience in early childhood education includes serving on Bethel ELC Board of Directors previously.

Donna McAda

BETHEL MEMBER

Ms. McAda is a multi-decade member of Bethel Lutheran Church and has served for decades both as an educator and administrator within the Mesquite Independent School District. Currently, she serves as the Executive Director of Assessment for the district.

Kim Tumulty

BETHEL MEMBER

Ms. Tumulty is a long-time member of Bethel Lutheran Church having served on the church council and various boards, including the Human Resources committee. Ms. Tumulty holds a B.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin.

Amanda Tucker

CHAIRPERSON OF THE ELC ACTION COMMITTEE (PARENT MEMBER)

Vanessa Ibarra

VICE CHAIRPERSON OF THE ELC ACTION COMMITTEE (PARENT MEMBER)