By Kelli Quan-Martin, CASE Secretary & former Region 1 Director

Over the past six years, I have had the honor of serving on the board of the California Association of Science Educators (CASE), a journey that has deeply enriched both my professional and personal life. What began as a desire to grow as a teacher and support science education quickly evolved into a multifaceted role involving advocacy, leadership, and collaboration.

My involvement grew steadily—from serving on various committees and contributing to the development of equity-focused position statements, to editing the CASE newsletter California Classroom Science and helping shape the vision and mission of the organization. As a board member, I gave voice to the classroom teacher and district-level TOSAs and specialists. I proudly advocated at the state level for policies that support accessible, high-quality science education for all students. In addition to learning about the forces that shape science education at various levels, I also expanded my knowledge of science pedagogy and teaching strategies and was inspired to share my learning with others. But most importantly, I realized my role as a leader in the education community and was empowered by CASE to expand my sphere of influence beyond the four walls of my classroom.

One of the most rewarding experiences was chairing the annual California Science Education Conference, where I worked with dedicated educators to deliver inspiring professional development and memorable social gatherings. Through this role, I built lasting relationships with science educators from across California and beyond, fostering a network rooted in shared passion and purpose. (If you haven’t already registered, don’t miss your chance to be part of the excitement at the conference this October in Palm Springs!)

I encourage everyone to be a CASE member, take advantage of the opportunities CASE offers, and if nothing else, join the fun with a great group of people. Looking back, I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a community committed to advancing equitable science education and am excited to support its continued impact in the years to come. Thank you to everyone who made my time serving on the CASE Board one of the most treasured experiences of my teaching career.

About the Author

Kelli Quan-Martin is the current CASE Secretary and former Region 1 Director and is a middle school science teacher in the Elk Grove Unified School District. Contact Kelli at kquan@egusd.net. 

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