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.

President's Message

Kimberly DeMille was elected President of CKA in January 2017 after serving on the Board of Directors for four years. Kimberly is a kindergarten teacher in beautiful San Clemente, California.

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) and the Audrey Sanchez Teacher Enhancement Award (ASTEA)

Our Board

Kathleen Bell

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
Carol Chivers

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
Gennie Gorback

Gennie Gorback

Board Member

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
Christa Grossi Noetzel

Christa Grossi Noetzel

Board Member

TK-6th STEM TOSA and Instructional Coach, Fallbrook Union Elementary School District
Fallbrook

  • BA, 18th Century British Literature,  San Diego State University
  • MA, Teaching:  Program Design and Methodology,  National University
  • Certified Reading Specialist
  • Google Certified Educator
  • CLAD Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
  • BTSA Support Provider
Maria N. Trejo

Maria N. Trejo

Board Member

National/International English Learners and Struggling Readers’ Consultant
Sacramento

  • University of the Pacific, BA Liberal Studies, Emphasis in Languages and Mathematics
  • Sacramento State University, Masters in Arts, Emphasis in Cross-cultural Education, Anthropology
  • University of the Pacific, Doctorate in Education, Emphasis in Curriculum & Instruction; Pupil Personnel Services; School Administration. Minor in Bilingual Education.
  • Credentials: Life in Elementary, Life in Secondary, Life for Community College
Debra Weller

Debra Weller

Board Member

TK Teacher, Capistrano Unified School District
Educational Consultant and Professional Storyteller, Mission Viejo

  • St. Petersburg College, AA
  • Rowen University, BA in Art Education
  • National University, MA in Curriculum and Design, Educational Leadership
Sally Byrnes-Swiatek

Sally Byrnes-Swiatek

Board Member

Founder/Director, A Little Patch of Earth, Santa Clarita
Newhall

  • Edinboro University, PA and Pacific Oaks College, CA, BA Elementary Education/Early Childhood Education/Human Development

  • Pacific Oaks College, CA, MA in Leadership in Education and Human Services

  • College of the Canyons, CA, Early Childhood Certificate 

  • Child Development Program Director Permit, California Teaching Credential ,

Kimberly DeMille

Kimberly DeMille

President

Kindergarten Teacher, Capistrano Unified School District
Carlsbad

  • San Diego State University, BA Liberal Studies, Emphasis in Education
  • San Diego State University, Multiple Subjects CLAD Credential
Michelle Jones

Michelle Jones

President Elect

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
Beth Pittman

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 
Christine VanDenover

Christine VanDenover

Board Member

TK/Kindergarten Teacher, Mariposa County Unified

  • BA in Interdisciplinary Childhood Development with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education
  • MA in Curriculum Instruction and Assessment
Meredith Yeh

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
Nancy Cappelloni

Nancy Cappelloni

Past President, Treasurer

Educational Consultant in Private Practice
Kindergarten Readiness Program Director
Retired Kindergarten Teacher, Reed Union School District
Belvedere

  • University of San Francisco, Doctorate of Education
  • Dominican University, Teaching Credential Multiple Subject/CLAD
  • College of Marin, ECE Administrative Credential
  • University of California, Los Angeles, Masters of Dance/Movement Therapy
  • University of Colorado, B.A. with Distinction, Art History
Sandi Emrick

Sandi Emrick

Board Member

Transitional Kindergarten Teacher, San Luis Coastal Unified School District
San Luis Obispo

  • Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, BA Liberal Studies and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
  • University of La Verne, Masters in Child Development
Palma Lindsay

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
Wendy Sewell

Wendy Sewell

Technology Committee Chair

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
Alice Wagner

Alice Wagner

Board Member

Bilingual (Spanish) Transitional Kindergarten Teacher, Hayward Unified School District
Oakland

  • University of California, Santa Cruz, BA in Sociology
  • California State University, East Bay, BCLAD Credential
  • California State University, East Bay, MS in Educational Leadership
Bernadette Pilar Zermeno

Bernadette Pilar Zermeno

Board Member

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 

FAQ

Where do I find your photography release?
Right here!  You can download the English Photography Release or the Spanish Photography Release.
How can I make a donation in a teacher's name?
Donations in a teacher’s name make a great holiday or end of year present!  You can make a donation by filling out this form.
How much does membership cost?
Membership is $40 for a one year period, or $30 for students/retired educators.  Along with your other membership benefits, it entitles you to a discount of $40 on your conference attendance.  Join us!
What are the benefits of membership?
Membership in CKA brings many benefits!  Members can….
How do I join your mailing list?
We’d love to keep you updated!  Just click here to be added to the list.  (CKA never shares e-mail addresses with third parties).
How do I get E-News?
To help keep our members informed, CKA regularly sends out E-News.  Missed something?  Past E-News is available here. Not receiving E-News?  Join our mailing list, or better yet, become a CKA member!
How do I become a friend of CKA?
We invite you to become a Friend of the California Kindergarten Association (CKA). By being a Friend of CKA, you will gain increased exposure and advertisement of your business to our membership throughout the year while showing your association with, support for, and endorsement of CKA. Your organization will benefit from exposure on CKA’s website, ongoing online communication, and eNews—an expansive audience of educators and organizations involved in early childhood education.  CKA offers you the opportunity to increase your level of visibility by participating as a Friend of CKA at the level of support you choose. Please contact CKA for more information on how to become a Friend of CKA today!!