Plenty of celebrations have been held during Karen Tenbroeck’s 44 years with the Branford Early Learning Center (BELC), but last week’s celebration was one of the most special—and bittersweet. On March 7, families and co-workers from across four decades gathered at BELC, together with Karen’s family and current co-workers, to wish her a very happy retirement.

“I’ve been with this program for so many years. It’s amazing to think about how many lives I’ve touched by being here,” says Karen. “This is what I lived and breathed for 44 years, working at Branford Early Learning Center and doing things for the children.”

Karen’s connection to BELC nearly goes back to the very beginning of the program, which was established in 1978. After graduating with the North Branford High School Class of 1976, Karen attended South Central Community College (now Gateway) and earned an associate’s degree in early childhood education.

“I had finished up in May of 1979, and someone I knew from my classes mentioned that the center she was working for was looking for another teacher,” Karen says. “So, in October of 1979, I contacted them, and got an interview, and nailed the job!”

When Karen first started out at BELC in 1979, it was as an aide in the three-year-old classroom while the center was based in a church basement on Rogers Street. It then relocated to a few classroom spaces at the former St. Mary’s School on Cedar Street before arriving at its present home in the former Pine Orchard School on Birch Street.

“Moving to our current location enabled us to grow our center to what it is today,” says Karen.

The program currently serves children from infants to pre-K with five classrooms.

Karen always knew she wanted her career to involve educating young children, but she didn’t think that would mean being with the same program for the duration.

“I never thought I’d be in the same early childhood center for 44 years,” she says. “But one thing I’ve always said to people is that when you work with children, no two days are the same. So, you never get tired of the job.”

Now, Karen says, “I’ve taught generations! I’ve had students bring their children back, and now some of those children are old enough to have children of their own. I’ve just loved the children and the love that the children have given me. I have no children of my own, so I always considered them to be my children.”

Karen taught BELC’s four-year-old age group for 38 years, with one of her main tasks being to help them prepare for kindergarten, especially as it’s evolved to meet changing expectations for educators readying students for kindergarten.

In 2016, she made the switch to lead the program’s toddler room.

“It was rejuvenating! I’ve loved every minute of it,“ says Karen.

Karen officially retired on March 1. The East Haven resident says she plans to spend more time with her family, both here and down south. She’s also already been back to visit BELC.

Karen plans to be at BELC’s booth during Branford’s “Week of the Young Child” event on Saturday, April 20. Hosted by Branford Family Resource Center and School Aged Child Care, the early childhood fair and family fun day takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Joe Trapasso Community House on 46 Church Street. There will be a free book given to every child, a free pancake breakfast for families (from 9 to 10 a.m.), along with children's activities, music and dance, parent workshops, and over 20 information booths. The event is sponsored by the Branford Community Foundation and Branford School Readiness Council.

In Karen’s humble opinion, BELC is one of the best programs in Branford that assists families with young children. As a State Department of Education-funded agency, BELC provides children of working parents with high-quality, affordable child care and early childhood education. An accredited center of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, BELC concentrates on the whole child. Learn more at branfordearlylearningcenter.com.

“Students that I’ve had from the past, who are now parents, can’t wait to get their kids in here,” Karen says. “They’ve had such a great experience, and their parents had such a great experience with them being here, that they want their children to be here and experience the same thing that they had.”

Karen says she’s grateful for every day she’s shared with her BELC family, and every child she’s helped to guide through her years with the program.

“It is like family. I was 22 years old when I started here. So, it was hard, 44 years later, to leave,” says Karen. “They’re still in my heart, even though I’m not coming here every day.”