The National Kindergarten Alliance welcomes innovative ideas!  

Is there an idea running around in your head, a seed that needs nurturing or a dream project that you know would strengthen your kindergarten program?  NKA wants to hear from you!  

Grants, intended to aid in establishing best practices that directly benefit kindergarten students, are awarded each year to encourage kindergarten teachers in the pursuit of excellence.

Past Professional Practices Grant winners include:

Linda Becker, Kindergarten Teacher

West Contra Costa County School District, Richmond, CA  

Ms. Becker’s grant was for a collaborative project addressing the importance of including art experiences in kindergarten.  It resulted in the creation of a “how to” compact disc featuring ten developmentally appropriate art projects.

Marla Loew and Janie Hamilton, Kindergarten Teachers

Modesto City School District,  Modesto, CA

The Character Connection Program was partially funded by this grant.  Student portfolios were designed to highlight cultural diversity, patriotism, conflict resolution, service and citizenship projects as well as ten specific character traits.

Cathy Hicks, Kindergarten Teacher

Beauclerc Elementary School, West Jacksonville, FL

Ms. Hicks was able to purchase materials which helped integrate curriculum in the kindergarten classroom with her grant money.  These “Song Box” materials help address the FL literacy mandates and link needs and requirements.

Lenne Holland, Kindergarten Teacher

Blue Earth School District,  Blue Earth, MN

This grant helped fund the creation of “Family Math and Science Bags.” Matching funds came from the school district and two complete sets were created to provide additional hands on learning experiences for parents and children.

Nellie Rios-Parra, Curriculum

Lennox School District,  Lennox, CA

Ms. Rios-Parra  proposed the purchase of materials to be used with preschool parents and students to provide the support necessary for a successful transition into kindergarten.  Her program included mandatory parent meetings and visits to kindergarten classrooms.

Janet Dickens, Kindergarten Teacher

Fairlane Elementary School,  Lafayette, TN

The “Literacy a’la Carte” project, partially funded by NKA, starts with the use of a “Once Upon a Time” carpet and moves to literacy centers aimed at helping children learn nursery rhymes, expand vocabulary and independently select books to read and enjoy.

Katie Marie Zuehlke,  Kindergarten Teacher

Bendix Elementary School,  Annandale, MN

Ms. Zuehlke aims to provide authentic demonstration of various writing techniques, support beginning writers in a developmentally appropriate way and create board books for gifts to newborns at the local Buffalo hospital.  NKA is proud to join in this endeavor!

Melissa Valencia, Kindergarten Teacher

Helmers School,  Valencia, CA

Ms. Valencia has designed a project she hopes will encourage students’ families to read together and respond to that reading experience.  This grant will help with the purchase of books, journals, characters, and backpacks for students to take home and share.

Cathy Wittie, Kindergarten Teacher

Central Elementary School,  Stephensville, TX

“We can’t run out and plant a rain forest in our backyards, but we can teach children respect and concern for nature.” Ms. Wittie plans to use her grant money to fund the purchase of items necessary for a class garden plot.

Lenne Holland, Kindergarten Teacher

Blue Earth School District,  Blue Earth, MN

This grant paid for the purchase and construction of supplemental materials for the “Step-Up” program being implemented in districts across Minnesota. These materials enhanced the first 3 tiers of the program which deal with the development of large and small muscle skills and crossing the midline.