The Mission of the California Kindergarten Association is to foster children’s early learning and development by promoting best practices and professionalism in teaching and advocating for high quality, developmentally appropriate early childhood education.
Michelle was elected President of CKA in March 2019 after serving on the Board of Directors for four years. Michelle is a professor and coordinator in the Multiple Subject Credentialing program for Teachers College of San Joaquin in Stockton, California.
Judy Brown, with a group of dedicated educators, organized the first Bay Area Kindergarten Conference and was the first President of the CKA – more than 30 years ago.
Find out about the Judy Brown Administrator Recognition Award (JBAR) and the Audrey Sanchez Teacher Enhancement Award (ASTEA)
Board Members
Kathleen Bell, Secretary
Retired Kindergarten Teacher
Primary Grade Teacher ELD & Reading Intervention Specialist
Oakland
UC Berkeley- B.A. in Sociology
Sonoma State – M.A. in Early Childhood Education BCLAD
Teacher-Trainer Certificate, High/Scope Educational Research
Credential Yoga Instructor, Cyclist and Marathoner with Team in Training
Gennie Gorback, President Elect
Early Childhood Educator
Orinda
UC Santa Barbara, BA Women’s Studies, Minor in Education
UC Santa Barbara, Multiple Subjects CLAD Credential
UC Santa Barbara, Masters of Education in Teaching
Foothill College, Early Childhood Education units
Nichelle Bartlett, Board Member
Kindergarten Teacher, Lodi Unified School District
Stockton
California Baptist University, BA in Liberal Studies and Minor in History
California Baptist University, Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
San Diego State University CLAD Credential
Carol Chivers, Board Member
Retired Pre-K and Kindergarten Teacher (also volunteer, substitute and CELDT tester)
Franklin McKinley School District,
San Jose
Sacramento State University, BA in Social Sciences, Emphasis in Psychology
Sacramento State University, Standard Elementary Education Credential
Amy Friedin, Board Member
TK Teacher, Newhall School District, Santa Clarita
California State Northridge, B.S. in Psychology
Pepperdine University, M.A. in Elementary Education
Pepperdine University, Multiple Subject CLAD Credential
Palma Lindsay, Board Member
Owner of KFUNdamentals
Greenwood
California State University Northridge, BA Liberal Studies, Graduate Studies
California State University Northridge, Multi-subject, Pre-school, K-12, Adult Ed. Life Teaching Credential
College of the Canyons Early Childhood Certificate
K-8 Teacher for 37 years
Sylvia Parker, Board Member
TK Teacher, Darnall Charter School,
San Diego
University of Redlands, Liberal Studies and History
Claremont Graduate University, Professional Clear Multiple Subjects Credential with CLAD emphasis
Beth Pittman, Board Member
First Grade Teacher, Lodi Unified School District
Stockton
CSU Stanislaus, BS in Liberal Studies, Concentration in Child Development
CSU Stanislaus, CLAD Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
Tra’shell Reese, Board Member
Devoted Head PreKindergarten Teacher for over 30 years
Cisco Childcare Center
San Jose City Jr. College, Early Childhood Education Units
Educator of the Year with Recognition at NAEYC
Advocate for Quality Place-base Childcare Programs, Washington D.C.
Wendy Sewell, Board Member
Stay-at-home mom
Former Kindergarten Teacher
Santa Rosa
Queens University – B.A. Honours in Language and Linguistics
University of Oxford – B.A. Education
CLAD Credential
Cathy Traut-Hessom, Board Member
TK Teacher, Grace Hudson Language Academy (Dual-Immersion Language Program)
Ukiah
Cal State University, Los Angeles, BA in Child Development and a Multi-Subject Credential
BCLAD Credential
Meredith Yeh, Board Member
Kindergarten Teacher, San Mateo-Foster City School District, San Mateo
University of San Diego – B.A. in Diversified Liberal Arts
University of San Francisco – M.A. in Multicultural Education
Professional Clear Credential/CLAD Credential
Kimberly DeMille, Past President
First Grade Teacher, Carlsbad Unified School District
Carlsbad
San Diego State University, BA Liberal Studies, Emphasis in Education
San Diego State University, Multiple Subjects CLAD Credential
Michelle Jones, President
TK/Kindergarten Teacher, Oakdale Joint Unified School District
Ripon
Cal State University, Turlock – B.S. in Liberal Studies
Cal State University, Turlock – Minor in Child Development
Cal State University, Turlock – Teaching Credential
Professional Clear Credential
Child Development Program Director Permit
CLAD Certificate
GATE Certification
Bernadette Zermeno, Treasurer
Transitional Kindergarten Teacher, ASCEND
Oakland
University of California, Berkeley, BA in Psychology, Minor in Education
University of California, Berkeley, Master of Arts in Education, Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, Spanish BCLAD
Preschool and TK/Dual Immersion Professional Development Provider
Adjunct Professor of Early Childhood at Chabot College in Hayward
