Finding New Purpose and Connection with ECSC
KIT KARBLER, ECSC ENCORE STAFF
“There’s a richness in being around children; you receive so much in return.”
A Conversation with ECSC Encore Sub, Kit Karbler
Watch his story here: https://youtu.be/ruDtJYRpHp4
For Kit Karbler, a retired glass artist from Denver, retirement opened the door to a new kind of creativity and community. Kit spent nearly 50 years crafting intricate glass sculptures, running Lake Street Glass in downtown Denver, and building a thriving artistic community. However, after stepping away from his career, Kit felt a void. “I had done all the yard work and cleaned the house,” he recalls, “but I wanted to do something more.”
That “something more” appeared unexpectedly when Kit watched a news piece about the Early Childhood Service Corps (ECSC) on Kyle Clark’s segment on Denver 9News: an initiative that encourages retirees to engage with early childhood education. Inspired by the chance to make an impact, Kit joined ECSC, and since May 2024, he’s been working with three-year-olds at the Rabbi Stephen Foster Early Childhood Learning Center in Temple Emanuel.
“Children are our future,” Kit says. With this philosophy in mind, he started as an intern and, by August, transitioned to a substitute teacher, co-teaching a class of 10 to 11 children. With two other teaching associates, Kit’s days are filled with guiding these young learners through exploration and discovery. Reflecting on his experience, Kit explains, “We don’t really teach in the traditional sense. Instead, we create an environment where children can experiment and grow.”
Kit’s journey has not only brought him joy but has also shown him a new perspective on aging and purpose. Initially, he questioned whether he’d have the physical and mental stamina to work with young children. However, his time with ECSC has been energizing: “The program prepared me well, and I feel even more capable,” he says. Kit emphasizes the rewards of teaching, adding, “There’s a richness in being around children; you receive so much in return.”
Kit's host site sees the significant value in hosting Encore Subs as well. Ashlie Jensen, Assistant Director at Rabbi Steven Foster Early Learning Center @ Temple Emanuel raved about Kit's service, saying:
"We adore Kit. He has come in multiple times on his days off, he volunteered at our schools farmers market, just because he wanted to be involved with the kids and the class and their whole cooking project and what they made these little bags of smelly aromas that put on a stove pot and, like, he wanted to be a part of every single aspect of it. And farmers market, he came in dressed in a whole like, farm get up just ready to plug right in and, and I think that's that's been really fun, is to see somebody who doesn't just see this as like a job, like a "oh, I'm only subbing and I'm uncontactable." He wants to be truly involved in every aspect of our school. So that's been amazing."
Beyond being a caring, consistent presence in the classroom, ECSC Subs like Kit offer tremendous valuable support for the teachers in the classroom who may need a break or time off.
"We love the subs. We also love the volunteers. One of our subs started as a volunteer and has now become one of our subs. We love it. It's a great way to get involved and to be with children,” Jensen says.
For those who may be on the fence about joining ECSC, Kit has encouraging words. “As Baby Boomers, we’ve been given a good life. This is our chance to give back, and it’s incredibly fulfilling.” Kit also highlights the importance of choosing a local program, sharing that he was fortunate to find a school close to home—an aspect he considers essential for older adults.
If Kit’s story inspires you to consider becoming a part of ECSC, there’s never been a better time to explore this opportunity. ECSC offers training, support, and a meaningful way to connect with younger generations in your own community. Whether you have a background in education or are entirely new to it, ECSC welcomes anyone with a heart for giving back.
Interested in joining the Early Childhood Service Corps?
To learn more and see how you can make a difference, sign up for our latest cohort at: bit.ly/ECServiceCorps
Help shape the future by supporting young children in a nurturing, multigenerational environment, just as Kit is doing. For any other questions, email lisa@earlychildhoodservicecorps.org