Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Carolyne!
Carolyne Albert-Garvey has been a CASA volunteer since 2021. During that time, she has advocated for three families and four children. Her focus in her cases has been instrumental in creating a healthy and safe environment for the youth she serves. She has donated 652 volunteer hours advocating for her CASA children, traveling far and wide for these children throughout the years, driving 3,755 miles to ensure their well-being. Prior to CASA, Carolyne worked as an educator. She became a teacher at just 20 years old and went on to earn two master’s degrees while working full-time. After teaching for 11 years, she served as a principal and an instructional superintendent. Carolyne approached her career in education, and now her volunteer work, with a “get-it-done” attitude!
Read on to learn more about Carolyne!
Tell me a bit about your previous career in D.C. public schools. You are retired now, correct?
Yes, I am a retired educator. I spent the last 18 years of my career working at D.C. Public Schools as a school principal and an instructional superintendent, but I started out as French immersion teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools.
I am most proud of the work that I led at Maury Elementary School on Capitol Hill. I spent nine years there as principal. Under my leadership, student performance when from being at the bottom 25th percentile in achievement to being on the top 10 elementary schools in D.C. It’s even more exciting that the school continues to thrive.
As an instructional superintendent, I supervised principals and monitored academic progress of students at 15 schools across the city.
How would someone else describe you?
They would describe me as a lifelong educator. I skipped a couple of grades and graduated from undergrad when I was 20, becoming a first-year teacher. I taught for 11 years and then worked in corporate education for four years, serving homeschooled families. It was interesting, writing curriculum and supporting online teachers in multiple states across the country.
I missed being in the school environment and launched into administration by applying to an organization called New Leaders for New Schools. It recruited educators to lead specifically in urban schools. I did my residency at D.C. Public Schools and got my first principalship in 2005 in D.C.
I’ve been married for 35 years. I moved to the United States from Canada after meeting a wonderful American guy in Spain during the summer of 1988.
How did you first learn about CASA?
When I first retired, I was very eager to find a meaningful volunteer opportunity. I wasn’t opposed to having these one-time volunteer opportunities … but it required a lot of effort of always finding these opportunities and so I said [let me try to find] something that was consistent. Frankly, I was googling opportunities in Fairfax County.
How is your current case?
I’m on my third case. It’s ongoing. Every case is hard in its own way. My child has multiple disabilities. He recognizes me, but he’s nonverbal and is just now learning to communicate. The birth mom is working really hard to meet all the requirements. She’s been really present during this process.
I also have a good relationship with the DFS specialist. I have to initiate contact, but the specialist is responsive. As a CASA, that makes our job easier. Another highlight is that all parties are very communicative in this case, and the foster parent is very organized. It makes my report writing so much easier.
What have you learned about the child welfare system in your time at Fairfax CASA?
One valuable lesson is to invest time at the very beginning of the case to build a positive relationship with the specialist and the GAL. The relationship between the specialist and the CASA is crucial in our cases, and I’ve found that being proactively engaged as a CASA is helpful in fostering a positive relationship with the specialist and other parties.
After several case closures what do you think contributes to a successful closure of neglect cases?
In my first case, it was a young woman who aged out of the system and is now participating in Fostering Futures. She decided she didn’t need a CASA; she felt she was a strong advocate for herself, and both Amy and I agreed. I was with her for a couple of years before she aged out. As a CASA, you can encourage self-advocacy for older kids.
How has volunteering for this organization affected you?
It’s been a very positive experience. I think the world of Amy, my supervisor. A very positive aspect of working with the organization is the supervisor role and the relationship the volunteer has with them. The responsiveness and willingness to be flexible, understanding that we are volunteers, is great.
I enjoy the requirement for continued growth, which Emily facilitates well by providing information monthly. We’re always on a continuous learning curve at CASA. It’s been very enjoyable. I also appreciate the urgency that everyone at CASA has for doing this work and doing it well. The vision and mission are always very clear in all that we do and all that we are asked to do… what makes it worthwhile is knowing every volunteer, everyone on the team is working as hard as I am on these cases to advocate for children and their well-being.
Carolyne is an inspiring educator and CASA volunteer who has made a significant impact on the lives of her students and CASA children. With over 35 years of experience in education, Carolyne has shared a wealth of knowledge in her cases, and she continues to apply her passion and drive to all that she does. Thank you, Carolyne!
