Gary and Karen Bender

Gary and Karen Bender’s story began back in 1983, where they created and opened their first preschool and daycare center in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex.  Their first center opened in 1983 in Irving, TX and a second center added in Irving in 1990.  Those two locations were owned and operated until 1994, when they made the decision to move out-of-state.  Their third center opened in Olean, New York in March 1995 and continued there until 2004 when they decided to move back home to Texas.

The fourth center, Creative Kids Learning Center on Rieck Road, acquired in 2005, was where they made their return home to Texas in Tyler.  Creative Kids Learning Center will continue at the new facility located at 3130 Fifth Street.  This state-of-the-art building is a lifetime goal and they are very excited to continue their journey with you there.

Karen and Gary have raised three children of their own and presently have 6 grandchildren.  Karen was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas (Yes, with Dorothy and Toto).  Gary was born in Ft. Belvoir, Virginia as his father served in the U.S. Army for 23 years. Gary lived many, many places with his military family.

Gary served as the Creative Kids Learning Center CEO and President and has been in the early education field for over 37 years.  He has the immense responsibility of keeping everything functioning with a diverse knowledge of every aspect of this field.  Before entering the early childhood field, he was in building construction and all things related.  He is the catalyst directly responsible for the new center on Fifth Street.

Karen serves as the Creative Kids Learning Center Director and has a long educational career behind her.  She has been the daycare Director for three of the past centers, and she served in the public school classroom for 22 years as a vocal music teacher.  She has spent the last 16 years in Chapel Hill ISD as a Vice Principal at the High School and as the Principal of Chapel Hill Collegiate Early College High School.  Karen recently retired from CHISD and will now be in the lead role as Director of Creative Kids Learning Center.