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
Gennie was elected President of CKA in March 2021 after serving on the Board of Directors for five years.
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), the Audrey Sanchez Teacher Enhancement Award (ASTEA), and the 2022 Ruth Lind Velasquez Art Grant.
Board Members
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
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
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
Amy Friedin, Board Member
Directory
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
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
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
Tra’shell Reese, Board Member
Directory
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.
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
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
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
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
