Be the Change: Karen Pautz

A trustworthy fountain of positive energy, Karen Pautz effervesces with a passion for nurturing children. As Executive Director of First Five Siskiyou, Karen fosters collaborative partnerships to best serve the needs of young children and their families. Her dark eyes sparkle with excitement as she raves about a recent visit to a parent-run playgroup in the remote community of Forks of Salmon, “I saw the retired school superintendent preparing lunch with homegrown vegetables from a parent’s garden while children of all ages played cooperatively together.” Scenes like this inspire Karen to spend countless hours – at meetings, trainings, report writing, phone calling and late night emailing – cultivating community throughout rural Siskiyou County.

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” ~Mother Teresa

Fiercely loyal to her mission, Karen insists, “The most important measure of our culture is how we treat our children.” Because nurturing relationships and social connectivity are vital to a healthy upbringing, Karen attributes the high college attendance rate of Forks of Salmon high school graduates to the supportive community thriving there. “Adults in that community consistently give the messages ‘I care’ and ‘children are important.’” She believes, “It is not someone’s job title that determines their value to the community. Relationships build community. Leaders are people who show up because they care and always take the time to acknowledge a child with kind words or a smile.” Community retrieves parents and families from isolation.

With warmth and sincerity, Karen appreciates and acknowledges the unique gifts of every person who shows up for children. “I feel so grateful to work in Siskiyou County with so many incredible dedicated and talented people working together to improve the lives of children,” she says. From policy makers to administrators, resource center staff, service providers, teachers, coaches, librarians, neighbors, grandparents and parents, every person matters.

Recognized as a national leader in early childhood advocacy by the Children’s Defense Fund, Karen draws from her experience as a preschool teacher, parent educator, national trainer, community resource center advocate, and early childhood consultant to address important issues affecting children’s welfare, such as literacy, health and nutrition, early childhood education, research-based parenting skills, and preventing the negative effects of trauma and media violence on children. “Karen is a total champion,” says Mt. Shasta Community Resource Center director Bliss Hipp. “She provides support and expertise to our programs where parents and families bond together, strengthening our communities.”

Karen and family in front of the Mount Shasta Community Peace Mural. Photos by: Kristen Meyer Stroud

Karen offers parents a broad menu of research-based skills and a promising perspective. “There is a reason for every behavior, it’s either developmental, temperamental, or environmental. We need to create a healthy environment in order to get a healthy reaction.” Karen recalls counseling a distraught mother. “Once she accepted her child as a gift and felt grateful for the responsibility to nurture her child,” Karen beams, “I knew that a life had been changed for the better.”

Married with a ten year-old-daughter, Karen admits, “Being a parent has been the greatest teacher for me. Like the night I suggested to my daughter, Katarina, that we read separately to ourselves because I had some work to finish. She reminded me, ‘The bookmarks you hand out to parents say how important it is to read to your child every day.’” Of course, Karen snuggled in to read to Katarina that night, as she and her husband do most every night. “I still wish to apologize to all of the parents I taught before becoming a parent myself!” Karen confesses.

Coming from the former Soviet Union, where children had no choice but to work at a young age, Karen takes nothing for granted. “My parents sacrificed everything to bring their family to the United States. My grandmother endured unspeakable hardship, yet taught me to be thankful and see the best in everyone. I didn’t know that my grandmother was illiterate because she was such a good storyteller. Maybe that’s why I care so much about giving every child a healthy start.”

Whether learning to be a better parent herself, or helping another parent, Karen lives by her grandmother’s motto: “See the best in others to be the best you can be.” With unyielding faith, commitment, and enthusiasm Karen serves competently as an inspiring catalyst for nurturing children through collaborative, compassionate community.

To contact Karen or to learn more about First 5 Siskiyou, call (530) 918-7222 or visit http://www.first5siskiyou.org.