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.
The California Kindergarten Association’s 2021 List of Priorities
Legislative:
• Teacher Training Programs providing ECE Courses/Units
• Support for TK teachers to attend ECE Courses
• Mandatory Kindergarten
• Reduced Class Size
• ADA (Average Daily Attendance) Money for all 4-year-olds attending public elementary schools
• Universal Preschool (with an emphasis on developmentally appropriate practices and learning through play)
• Full Day Kindergarten
• Childcare Credits for Working Families
CKA Actions:
- Promote Learning Through Play
- Host the California Kindergarten Conference every January
- Provide Professional Development Workshops
- Support teachers working with Language Learners
- Support teachers working with students with special needs
- Support teachers in teaching developmentally appropriate early literacy
- Support teachers in teaching developmentally appropriate early math
- Share teaching tips and resources on social media
- Support legislation that relates to our legislative priorities
- Share teaching tips and resources via email
Beth Pittman-Henry was elected president in March, 2025. She has been serving on the CKA Board since January, 2018.
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, Board Member
Retired Kindergarten Teacher
Primary Grade Teacher ELD & Reading Intervention Specialist
Oakland
UC Berkeley – B.A. in Sociology
Sonoma State University – 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, Treasurer
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
Beth Pittman, President
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
Meredith Yeh, Past President
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
Palma Lindsay, Board Member
Pre-K, TK, K-8th grade retired teacher, Santa Clarita Valley
International Early Childhood Presenter
Greenwood
CA State University Northridge – BA in Liberal Studies
CA State University Northridge – Multiple Subject Life Credential
College of the Canyons Valencia – ECE Certificate
CA State University Bakersfield – Beginning Teachers’ Support Provider units
Wendy Lundeen, Board Member
Wendy Lundeen
TK Teacher, Milpitas Unified School District
Fremont
California State University East Bay – BA Liberal Studies, Early Childhood Studies Concentration
California State University East Bay – Multiple Subject Credential
California State University East Bay – MS Curriculum, Reading
California State University East Bay – Reading Specialist Credential
Foothill College – Early Childhood Education Units
California Child Development Site Supervisor Permit
Arizona State University- M.Ed. Early Childhood Education
University of Southern California- Ed.D. Organizational Change and Leadership
LeAnna Wolkis Goldstein, Board Member
Kindergarten Teacher, Paradise Valley Unified School District
National Early Childhood Presenter & Educational Speaker
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona – B.A. in Education, Summa Cum Laude
Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona – M.Ed. Elementary Education With Distinction
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards – NBCT, MOC, National Board Certified Teacher, Generalist – Early Childhood
Arizona Department of Education Credentials: Achieved Highly Qualified Teacher Status, Structured English Immersion K 12, Early Childhood Endorsement Birth through Age 8
Joann Anaya, Board Member
Transitional Kindergarten Teacher, Carlsbad Unified School District
Oceanside
Hope International University – Bachelor of Science in Human Development
National University – Masters of Arts in Special Education
Clear CLAD California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
Clear California Education Specialist Instructional Credential
Certificates in Autism and Literacy Strategies
Certificate in Literacy Strategies
Angela Molyneux, Secretary
Retired & Substitute Teacher, San Mateo Foster City School District teaching Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades
Sales associate and apprentice chocolatier at a Swiss chocolate shop
San Mateo
Cal State Hayward – BS in Business Management with an emphasis in Marketing
Cal State Hayward – Multiple Subjects CLAD Credential
Chantel Touryan-Schaefer, Board Member
Early Literacy Director; Ocean Grove, South Sutter
Associate Director; Chartwell Teaching Institute
Salinas
CSU Monterey Bay – Bachelor of Arts Liberal Studies and Elementary Education
Endicott College – Beverly MA, Master of Education, International Education
Clear Multiple Subject CA Credential
Reading and Literacy Added Authorization
Reading and Literacy Leadership Specialist Credential
Orton-Gillingham – Associate Level
Dyslexia Advocate Certification
Kimberly DeMille, Past President
Intervention Specialist, Carlsbad Unified School District
Carlsbad
San Diego State University, BA Liberal Studies, Emphasis in Education
San Diego State University, Multiple Subjects CLAD Credential
