Kara Bietz

My name is Kara Bietz (pronounced Beets, like the vegetable!), and I’m excited to soon be joining the Bonnie Sanders Burney Child Development Center at Cape Fear Community College as the new Director.

I’ve worked in the field of early childhood education for over 30 years, most recently as a full-time professor at Georgia Northwestern Technical College. Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to wear many hats—including instructional coach, lead teacher, professional development specialist with the CDA Council, and various other roles in early childhood settings. Each position has deepened my passion for supporting young children, their families, and the educators who care for them.

On a more personal note, I’m also a wife and mother. My husband Steve and I have been married for nearly 27 years. We have two children: our son Ryan (25), a Texas A&M graduate and a lieutenant in the United States Air Force, and our daughter Lauren (21), who is currently a junior at the University of Georgia, studying Elementary Education and Studio Art.

At the heart of my philosophy is the belief that children learn best through joyful, intentional play—play that is rooted in their natural curiosity and desire to explore the world around them. I value sensory play as a powerful pathway to learning, helping children build motor skills, cognitive connections, emotional regulation, and mindfulness. I also prioritize the development of prosocial behaviors by modeling and nurturing kindness, empathy, and cooperation in all areas of the learning environment.

Ultimately, I believe in nurturing the whole child. Every child deserves a childhood filled with wonder, movement, connection, and the freedom to learn through play. By creating a caring, inclusive, and playful environment, we help children grow into kind, confident, and capable human beings.

I’m truly looking forward to meeting and working alongside each of you. I can’t wait to begin this next chapter together!