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California Kindergarten Association.

Rockin' Kindergarten for over 30 years!

About Us

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
President’s Message
Gennie was elected President of CKA in March 2021 after serving on the Board of Directors for five years.
Our History
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.
Grants
Find out about the Judy Brown Administrator Recognition Award (JBAR), the Audrey Sanchez Teacher Enhancement Award (ASTEA), and the 2022 Ruth Lind Velasquez Art Grant.

Board Members

Kathleen Bell, Board Member

Kathleen Bell, Board Member

Directory

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

Gennie Gorback, President

Directory

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

Nichelle Bartlett, Board Member

Directory

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

Sylvia Parker, Secretary

Sylvia Parker, Secretary

Directory

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

Beth Pittman, Board Member

Directory

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

Cathy Traut-Hessom, Board Member

Cathy Traut-Hessom, Board Member

Directory

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, Co-President Elect

Meredith Yeh, Co-President Elect

Directory

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, Staff Member

Palma Lindsay, Staff Member

Directory

Pre-K, TK, K-8th grade retired teacher, Santa Clarita Valley
International Early Childhood Presenter

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, Board Member

Directory

Wendy Lundeen
TK Teacher, Milpitas Unified School District

CSU-East Bay, BA- Liberal Studies, Early Childhood Studies Concentration
CSU-East Bay, Multiple Subject Credential
CSU-East Bay, MS- Curriculum, Reading
CSU-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

Kimberly DeMille, Co-President Elect

Kimberly DeMille, Co-President Elect

Directory

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

Bernadette Zermeno, Treasurer

Bernadette Zermeno, Treasurer

Directory

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

Latest on Instagram

Are you familiar with Whole Brain Teaching? Did y Are you familiar with Whole Brain Teaching?  Did you know that there are TONS of free resources on the WBT website?  Check it out: https://wholebrainteaching.com/ 
#wholebrainteaching #ckalovesteachers #tuesdayteachingtip
Hang in there! Can you see the light at the end o Hang in there!  Can you see the light at the end of the tunnel?  We can!  How many days do YOU have left?  #ckalovesteachers #iteachk #iteachfirst #almostsummer
What are your plans this weekend? What are your plans this weekend?
Hope your day is out of this world! #MayThe4th #ck Hope your day is out of this world! #MayThe4th #ckalovesteachers
We hope you are feeling the appreciation this week We hope you are feeling the appreciation this week!  The CKA family appreciates you, and thanks you for your hard work and dedication- especially these last two years! #ckalovesteachers #teacherappreciation
#haveagoodweek #ckalovesteachers #haveagoodweek  #ckalovesteachers

Latest on Facebook

California Kindergarten Association

9 hours ago

California Kindergarten Association
Wishing you a smooth week! How many days left? #ckalovesteachers #iteachk #iteachfirst #earlychildhoodeducator ... See MoreSee Less

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California Kindergarten Association

3 days ago

California Kindergarten Association
Friday the 13th....... Full moon..... Do YOU believe it affects your students? We want to hear about it 👇🏽👇🏾👇🏼 Drop a comment! Happy Friday! #ckalovesteachers #iteachk #iteachfirst #earlychildhoodeducator ... See MoreSee Less

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California Kindergarten Association

6 days ago

California Kindergarten Association
Are you familiar with Whole Brain Teaching? Did you know that there are TONS of free resources on the WBT website? Check it out: wholebrainteaching.com/ #WholeBrainTeaching #ckalovesteachers #tuesdayteachingtip ... See MoreSee Less

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California Kindergarten Association

1 week ago

California Kindergarten Association
Paid summer PD opps, Galileo Learning hiring Kinder educators nowGalileo Learning is looking for exceptional leaders, changemakers, and educators to join their team! We're hiring instructors and Assistant Program Directors for our in-person and COVID-safe innovation education STEAM summer day camp programs for kids in the community. Receive personalized professional development, and get paid to get trained while having a joy filled summer inspiring future innovators! (Shorter 2-3 week opps available and receive free camp for your kids.) We have 60+ sites in the SF Bay Area and Southern California, so for more job info or to apply, click here. Next application deadline is Sunday, May 8th so apply asap! For questions, email us at jobs@galileo-learning.com. ... See MoreSee Less

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California Kindergarten Association

1 week ago

California Kindergarten Association
Hang in there! Can you see the light at the end of the tunnel? We can! How many days do YOU have left? #ckalovesteachers #iteachk #iteachfirst #almostsummer ... See MoreSee Less

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Phone 916.780.5331
Fax 916.780.5330

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