Did you know? Many of our CASA volunteers are current or former teachers! These dedicated individuals have found that their teaching backgrounds significantly enhance their CASA advocacy. Meet four of our CASA volunteers below and learn how they utilize their teaching experience to advocate for children’s educational needs.
Karin Kliemann
What caused you to get involved with CASA? I had two friends who serve as CASAs. I had been a Foster parent years back and was looking for some way to serve again. I was intrigued by the CASA program being involved in the advocacy and court, community systems so I sought out the training. As an educator for over 40 years I spend most of my days now in supporting teachers and administrators, I was missing being involved with youth and CASA was a great avenue for me to get reconnected.
What has been the most rewarding part of being a CASA? My CASA case is a youth who was 15 when we met. I have loved getting to connect with an older youth and have deep conversations about life, growing and relationships. She was very distant when we first met, had experienced stress and trauma with relationships and had a very sheltered life when with her parents. As we developed a relationship and she grew to know she could trust me and that I was there for her always- she has blossomed in so many ways. My favorite routine we had in the beginning when she was in a shelter made my heart burst every visit! I would arrive and she would come to the room and I would say - "Hey there, how are you?”. She would always respond: "I am better now that you are here!"
What’s your favorite way to connect with your CASA kids? We developed our relationship on playing games in the beginning - She learned to play Chicken Foot with dominos, Battle with cards and one of our favorites - Smashing Avocados. She now lives in a supported home and has taken off with her creative side. She is a fantastic artist . She now shares her work with me and teaches me all about the characters, games and stories related to the morphing of the characters.
Please share a special moment with us about your advocacy work with your CASA kids. A moment that really comes to mind was our first visit to the court system. It was early onand we were in person in the courts. The judge was so fantastic. The child on my case was nervous, I think the judge knew this and he asked us to go with him to his chambers. This act of grace was so wonderful for the child, she felt so special, so seen and so heard it made her feel much more at ease and the judge valued our work and insight as the CASA. It helped her see that I was really there for her.
What would you say to someone that is on the fence about becoming a CASA? My CASA experience with an older youth is probably not a typical CASA case, yet I think a very valuable one as there are probably older youth who don't have a CASA and are as risk of being lost in a system. I would encourage anyone who would like to advocate for a child to take the training and hear what is involved. I would encourage them to seek older youth - it has brought me so much joy to see thought patterns, confidence and learning change and grow over the 3 years we have been connected. My CASA feels loved and cared for, knowing she has me in her corner to support her, always. Being able to connect with agencies, the court system and getting to know other CASA staff and volunteers has provided me a very valuable way to be of service.
How has your background in education helped you as a CASA? I have spent my educational career in the area of special education with students who experience challenging behaviors. Being able to analyze the behaviors from a functional base and not just seeing the behaviors as a problem has helped me learn to support youth in learning replacement behaviors. This background helped me particularly well with my current CASA - she was angry when first coming into care and was described by many as oppositional and defiant- I was able to look past those perceptions and see beneath that surface behavior which helped us connect and for her to see I was supportive of her.
Jane Pavelko
What caused you to get involved with CASA? As a history teacher, I was first intrigued by the legal aspects of CASA and working with that to help children. Later, when I retired, I wanted to find a meaningful cause where I could use my skills, experience, and interests to improve the lives of children. I happened to read a newspaper article about CASA’s need for volunteers, and I knew CASA would be a perfect fit for me.
What has been the most rewarding part of being a CASA? The most rewarding part of being a CASA is solving problems that lead to positive outcomes.
What’s your favorite way to connect with your CASA kids? I follow my CASA kids’ leads. Because I work with preteens and older, I’m able to learn about them through conversation and observation. I like allowing them to teach me about themselves and their interests.
Please share a special moment with us about your advocacy work with your CASA kids. My first CASA case ended with a successful kinship adoption. I was able to attend the court proceedings with my CASA kid and his family on National Adoption Day. It was a great privilege to share that special day with them. They later gave me a framed picture of my CASA kid and me with an inscription that reads “Thank you for completing our family.”
What would you say to someone that is on the fence about becoming a CASA? I would advise you to find out more by attending an information session. You’ll never know if CASA is right for you if you don’t find out more about it - and nothing is written in stone.
How has your background in education helped you as a CASA? The most important way in which my teaching background helps me as a CASA is that both rely on collaboration. Success as an educator requires collaboration among the kids, the parents, other teachers, and the administrators. Being a successful CASA depends on collaborative effort among the child, the parents, the caregivers, the caseworkers, the court, and the CASA. Also, to be an effective teacher and CASA volunteer requires listening and observation. These skills are vital to success.
Michele von Richter
What caused you to get involved with CASA? My husband and I had just moved from California to Texas to be closer to our son and daughter and their spouses. I had retired from teaching in the public school setting for 34 years. I knew I wanted to volunteer and continue to make a difference in the lives of children. In the past, my path had crossed with friends who had been CASAs and I had worked closely with the foster care system with some of my previous students.
What has been the most rewarding part of being a CASA? I think that being a voice for those who don't have a voice is the most rewarding part of being a CASA. These amazing children have been taken out of their home not due to any fault of their own. As a CASA, I am able to build a relationship and truly get to know my child and advocate for what is best.
What’s your favorite way to connect with your CASA kids? My CASA child has special needs, so connecting has been a bit more difficult. Having a background in education has helped because I have experience with many different learning styles and learning needs throughout my years of teaching. That being said, I have and continue to do a lot of research for various ways to connect with my child. I have found that singing has made a big difference. When we are together I sing (I am not good, but she does not seem to mind) all kinds of songs and she participates in her own way. The "light" seems to come on in her eyes through song.
Please share a special moment with us about your advocacy work with your CASA kids. For my child, eye contact and engagement is not common. For me, it is the simple moments where she looks at me and smiles, reaches out her hand to mine for help , or climbs into my lap absolutely melt my heart. When we have a connection like that it is so meaningful.
What would you say to someone that is on the fence about becoming a CASA? Do it! Do not be afraid to go out of your comfort zone. There is such a need and the reward is great!
How has your background in education helped you as a CASA? As an educator, you see firsthand the difference a home life makes in the life of a child. It has a huge impact on them emotionally, physically, socially, and academically. You can also see how much trauma or baggage a child carries daily. I have experienced the difference you can make in a child's life just by being there and caring. I saw how the school day was the only consistent part of a child's life in many cases. I take a lot of that experience into my role as a CASA. I realize that my child has experienced so much that she does not understand. I can be there for her consistently and care for her. I am blessed, too, because she is a part of my life. Being a CASA is one of my "whys"!
Cindy Brown
What caused you to get involved with CASA? After I left teaching, I wanted to continue to work with children and also be involved in my community. CASA is a perfect way to do that.
What has been the most rewarding part of being a CASA? It has been very rewarding to watch children being cared for, learning and growing in a loving and stable home. At the same time we see parents working hard and being given the support they need to be able to provide a home for their children so that the family can be reunified.
What’s your favorite way to connect with your CASA kids? I have had very young children or babies. With preschoolers, I find that playing on the floor, helping on a special day at daycare or sharing a snack are good ways to connect with them.
Please share a special moment with us about your advocacy work with your CASA kids. I had a case that had a lot of ups and downs. I worked hard to establish and maintain a relationship with the child's parents, but it wasn't always easy. On the last day, we were in the courtroom, and the child's mother turned to me and hugged me. She told me that she appreciated that I had always advocated for her child and knew that I always had his best interest at heart. That meant a lot to me.
What would you say to someone that is on the fence about becoming a CASA? Being a CASA is your chance to be the voice of a child in a very difficult time of that child's life. It's not all serious though. You get to play, celebrate, sing, dance and anything else that children like to do. I have made friendships with other advocates that help provide information or support when I have needed it. The only thing required for a successful CASA is caring about children and wanting what is best for them.
How has your background in education helped you as a CASA? Being a teacher has helped me in many ways as an advocate. Teachers spend a large part of every day with children, and we see how things like fear, sadness and uncertainty impact all areas of a child's life. We also are familiar with developmental and educational milestones, and can be an extra set of eyes to make sure a child is staying on track. And if a child needs extra support, teachers know the structure and terminology of special education or other educational interventions. I think working in a setting that is child-centered has helped me keep the child's best interest foremost in my mind as an advocate.