EDITOR’S NOTE: This story begins a new weekly series that highlights volunteers in the Miss-Lou.

NATCHEZ — Thirty-eight years in the classroom wasn’t enough to quell Berthenia Rose Jackson’s passion for children.

Jackson volunteers with the local Court Appointed Special Advocate program for youth court and handles educational neglect cases, cases she saw first-hand during her career as an educator.

Jackson recalls a particular young man, who was not doing well in her class and who had become near and dear to CASA Director Angela James’ heart.

One day James called Jackson while she was in the classroom to check in, and Jackson told James the young man wasn’t doing well that day.

“I told her, ‘I don’t know what the problem is, but I need you to come check on him,’” Jackson said.

James talked to the young man on the phone, Jackson said. The young man told James he was hungry.

“I got him something to eat, and Angela told me that if he was ever hungry again to buy him something to eat, and she would pay me back,” Jackson said. “We always had that arrangement, and she would always come by and check on him.”

Teachers can sense, Jackson said, when a child is having a bad day or when things aren’t well at home.

“A lot of teachers go beyond what is necessary in the classroom, and I have always felt you have to teach the whole child.”

As a CASA volunteer, Jackson said her job is to make sure children have all they need before they step in the classroom so they are prepared to learn.

“Many kids today, they come to school with so much baggage, and we have to be cognizant of that,” she said. “Before you can get to the logistics of one plus one equals two or subject-verb agreement, they have to be ready for that.”

James said Jackson’s connection to the children she serves is critical to her success.

“She is very passionate about the children,” James said. “She makes face-to-face contact and tries to see the younger kids often because the younger they are the more likely they are to fall into abuse situations.”

Jackson said all volunteer work is important, but said she believes work that affects children is particularly important.

“Children are our future,” she said. “Whatever we can do to ensure they’re in a safe, nurturing environment so that they are productive citizens and grow educationally, spiritually, morally and every way possible, that is extremely important.”