Holy Trinity Lutheran Preschool in Streator celebrates 40 years

Holy Trinity Lutheran Preschool in Streator is celebrating its 40th year.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Preschool opened in September 1982 after Janice Gehn, a member of the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, envisioned a preschool as a way to educate and share Jesus Christ with preschool aged children in the congregation and community.

During the first year of operation, the preschool was licensed for 19 children with two classes attending on Monday-Wednesday and Tuesday-Thursday mornings. Gehn was the first teacher with Gloria Sass as her aide. Gehn served from 1982 to 1984.

Each year, the number of children attending the program grew and the staff changed in 1985 when Hope Majernik took Gehn’s place as director/teacher. She served from 1985 to 1989.

Another classroom was added in 1987 with Gloria Sass becoming the director/teacher of the program. Joy Ahearn served as a teacher for one year while Linda Hoekstra joined the staff as a teacher’s aide.

In the fall of 1991 a third classroom was added and Mary Cassady joined the staff as a teacher in that classroom and Hoekstra became the teacher in one of the existing classrooms.

At the beginning of the 2002-2003 school year, the program was in search of a director and Diana Reynolds came aboard as teacher and acting director. In July 2003, Carol Luke joined the staff as director/teacher.

Previous teachers have included Maria York, Sandy Reed, Kelly Downey, Patti Loudenback, Melanie Sanders, Lori Pedelty, Deana Ondrey, Erica Heinecke, Sophie Armstrong, Nora Urbanec, Sharon Benner and Carrie Lucas.

Previous teacher’s aides have included Debbie Kling, Sue Kovach, Bernardine Eckelkamp, Barbara Cinnamon, Patti Thorp, Debbie Martin, Karen Hichborn, Linda Sawyer, Sally Youngblood, Cindy Schaibley, Margaret Vercimak, Pam Podkanowicz, Sue Ainsley, Renelda Quick, Laura Bradley, Cherie Rinaldo, Amy Pillash, Jennifer Irvin, Erica Snyder, Jennifer Kimber, Tracy Rodriguez, Kathleen Magana and Jamie Cunningham.

The current staff for the 2021-2022 school year include Carol Luke, director/teacher with Angie Dodge and Samantha Johnson, teacher aides in the green room. Tonya Carter, teacher with Cathy Koval as teacher aide in the purple room.

Holy Trinity also mentors students from Illinois Valley Community College enrolled in the early childhood education program. These students complete an eight week internship as they student-teach under the supervision of the director.

Throughout the years, the preschool has had just more than 3,100 children attend. From the beginning, the butterfly has been a symbol of the preschool. It symbolizes growing — just as a butterfly emerges from its cocoon to explore the around them — the children that attend the preschool are allowed to spread their wings and explore their world while in a safe and structured environment. The preschool’s mission statement is: Providing a Christ centered education for preschool-aged children.

Children attending the preschool learn about God through weekly bible stories, songs and daily prayers. They are introduced to age and developmentally appropriate activities that will foster spiritual, social/emotional, cognitive and physical development. These skills are achieved through the use of bible stories, learning centers, hands on experiences, field trips and indoor/outdoor motor skills. Children also are introduced to phonics/reading skills they will need in kindergarten through the program’s five-day class.

The preschool is a ministry of Holy Trinity. In 1992, the Rev. John Gutz joined as pastor of the church and continues to guide and support the preschool through his example and teachings. On occasion, Gutz will lead the children in bible songs with his guitar, tell the weekly bible story or just stop in to visit.

Holy Trinity is licensed by the state of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. The Holy Trinity Board of Education, under the direction of the church council, also is responsible for overseeing the operation of the preschool.

Anyone wanting more information about any of the classes offered can contact the director/teacher, Luke, at 815-672-6240 or 815-672-2393.