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

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.

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)

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
Kimberly DeMille

Kimberly DeMille

Past 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
Gennie Gorback

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
Sylvia Parker

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

Wendy Sewell

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
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
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 ,

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
Michelle Jones

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
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 
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
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
Amy Friedin

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

    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
    Tra'shell Reese

    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.
    Bernadette Pilar Zermeno

    Bernadette Pilar 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 

    Our Board

    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!!