08/15/10

        Established in 1973   by Del and Betsy Stelck, Knollwood Preschool and Kindergarten quickly earned its outstanding reputation.  The Stelcks had previously owned and operated four predecessor schools, all deservedly highly regarded.

        Dr. Del Stelck  at that time was a distinguished professor of American History at California State University, Northridge.  Decades earlier he was lured away from Dartmouth College to come West with his family and be among the founding faculty at San Fernando Valley State College.  That small college became today’s renowned California State University, Northridge.

        Del’s young wife, Betsy, began her professional career on radio and pioneer television as “the story lady,” “fairy princess,” hostess of “Barn Party” on WNBW in Washington DC.  It was on that show that Willard Scott of NBC’s Today Show got his start.  She earned her degree in elementary education at Drake University.  

        “Miss Betsy” taught kindergarten, first and second grades as her career began to unfold. 

She was among those who helped organize the Head Start program at its start in 1964.  To date Head Start has directly benefitted more than 25 million preschool youngsters.  One of the main ingredients at Knollwood is the language development curriculum.

        A ventriloquist, Betsy brings her dummies – Cindy Lou and Bosco – to Knollwood.  We use puppets, ventriloquist dolls, flannel boards, the PA system to entertain and to teach the receptive youngsters! The children clamor for more!  Learning is fun!