Casey attended Cal Poly in Pomona, Calif., where she earned a bachelor’s of arts in liberal studies. Chalupa continued her education at Cal Poly, where she obtained a master’s in education with an emphasis in curriculum and instruction. She is currently working toward her national board certification in literacy. Before teaching in Renton, Chalupa taught sixth-grade in Beaumont, Calif., and Birmingham, Ala. This is her fifth year teaching in Renton.