AREA AND STATE EVENTS
Eta Mu Members Support Love Modesto
Comfort Kit Drive

Johanna, Pat and Kathleen enjoyed a heartwarming morning in December assembling Comfort Kits for children in transition within the foster care system. A Kit is a backpack for an infant to a teenager filled with a variety of items. These items may include a water bottle, a blanket, toothpaste and toothbrush, socks, crayons, and more. From the Love Stanislaus County December Newsletter 1,134 Comfort Kits were assembled.
When the backpacks were filled, Johanna, Pat and Kathleen stuffed adorable little teddy bears. These teddy bears are given to first responders to distribute.
When the backpacks were filled, Johanna, Pat and Kathleen stuffed adorable little teddy bears. These teddy bears are given to first responders to distribute.
KATHLEEN HEINZINGER 30 YEAR MEMBER AND RECIPIENT OF THE AREA XVII AWARD FOR SERVICE TO THE AREA

Kathleen Heinzinger has been involved with service to the area over many years. She is always cheerful and pleasant as she leads the area through various projects and events. Kathleen has been a member of the area board over many biennia. Currently Kathleen’s position on the Area Board is described as Educational Excellence and Membership Chair, which includes assisting the Area Director with chapter concerns involving STEP(Support Team for Emerging Professionals), Global Awareness, VAPA (Visual and Performing Arts), Awards and Scholarships, and membership and liaison to the DKG California Educational Excellence and Membership Committees. She handles her many responsibilities with grace.
Kathleen has taken a major role in the planning of the area events since the last biennium. She is always ready to volunteer to help with any project or task or mentor others. She is an inspiration to DKG members as she shares her enthusiasm for the organization. In addition to her roles in the area, Kathleen is currently serving on the DKG California State Nominations Committee. In the past Kathleen has held other area positions including Area Director.
As an Eta Mu member she has held all of the executive board positions at one time or other. Members like Kathleen are what hold us to a level of excellence. She is always ready to participate in chapter activities, welcome new members, mentor members, donate her time and her talent so that Eta Mu chapter may continue to thrive. She is a shining example of a “leading women educator.”
Kathleen has taken a major role in the planning of the area events since the last biennium. She is always ready to volunteer to help with any project or task or mentor others. She is an inspiration to DKG members as she shares her enthusiasm for the organization. In addition to her roles in the area, Kathleen is currently serving on the DKG California State Nominations Committee. In the past Kathleen has held other area positions including Area Director.
As an Eta Mu member she has held all of the executive board positions at one time or other. Members like Kathleen are what hold us to a level of excellence. She is always ready to participate in chapter activities, welcome new members, mentor members, donate her time and her talent so that Eta Mu chapter may continue to thrive. She is a shining example of a “leading women educator.”

SAVE THE DATE!
DKG California Convention
May 2-4, 2025
Los Angeles Airport Marriott
“Reaching New Heights Together”
Join us for learning, leading, sharing, making new friends, dining, shopping, laughing, and so much more!
Plan NOW to be there!
DKG California Convention
May 2-4, 2025
Los Angeles Airport Marriott
“Reaching New Heights Together”
Join us for learning, leading, sharing, making new friends, dining, shopping, laughing, and so much more!
Plan NOW to be there!
CONVENTION 2023 "SHAPING TOMORROW TOGETHER"
REFLECTIONS FROM A FIRST TIME ATTENDEE AT THE 2023 CONVENTION IN BURLINGAME
"Embracing the Sisterhood: A First-Timer's Journey at the DKG Convention"
By Heather Nonaca
Attending the DKG Convention is something that has been suggested to me since I joined DKG in 2016. Unfortunately, Convention always happens to fall around standardized state testing and one of the busiest weeks in my school year. However, this year, I marked my calendar, called in a favor from a colleague to sub my classes, and made my way to Burlingame, looking forward to “Shaping Tomorrow Together.” Here’s what Convention taught me:
"Embracing the Sisterhood: A First-Timer's Journey at the DKG Convention"
By Heather Nonaca
Attending the DKG Convention is something that has been suggested to me since I joined DKG in 2016. Unfortunately, Convention always happens to fall around standardized state testing and one of the busiest weeks in my school year. However, this year, I marked my calendar, called in a favor from a colleague to sub my classes, and made my way to Burlingame, looking forward to “Shaping Tomorrow Together.” Here’s what Convention taught me:
- Dawn Pitcock’s (Eta Mu) loves Starbucks as much as I do and takes a copious amount of notes while brightening everyone’s day with her joyous aura.
- Wendy Bruce (Eta Mu) is a supportive soul that generously offered to show me around her school’s campus (that my Autistic son, Emmet will be attending next year) once we returned from Convention. The offer lifted a giant weight off of my shoulders and I’m so thankful to have one of my sisters at Emmet’s school next year.
- Area XVII produces leaders–as exemplified by the election of Kathleen Heinzinger and Patricia Elston to the Nominations Committee. Congratulations!
- Suzanne Roy (DKG CA Corresponding Secretary) is a hoot to have a drink with, especially when you’re being serenaded by a barbershop quartet.
- Saying goodbye to fallen sisters is tough, but honoring them at the Convention is a beautiful way of acknowledging all the ways that they brightened their communities during their lives.
- Being surrounded by educators that have decades of stories to tell, advice to offer, and friendship to gain, is exactly the type of energy boost that tired educators need in May.
UNLOCKING OUR IMAGINATION
2022 DKG CONVENTION

DKG Members met at the Los Angeles Burbank Airport Marriott April 29- May 1, 2022 for the first time since the pandemic began. The program included a number of workshops and breakout sessions in addition to outstanding speakers. The keynote speakers were Dr. Belle Wheelan and Dr. Jacqueline Sanderling. Dr. Wheelan focused on DEI, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Dr. Sanderling focused on "Why Not?", getting involved in meaningful community partnerships. Both speakers offered powerful messages and held workshop sessions.
Several Eta Mu members attended the convention as both attendees and presenters and enjoyed the networking(aka "sisterhood) with other DKG members from across the state.
Several Eta Mu members attended the convention as both attendees and presenters and enjoyed the networking(aka "sisterhood) with other DKG members from across the state.