Kara Ball

As a cultivator of curiosity Kara Ball uses science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and project based learning (PBL) to transform her elementary students into the leaders of tomorrow. Currently teaching military-connected students at Camp Lejeune for the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), Kara has also taught special education, multi-age, advanced mathematics, and in communities with high homeless and English as a Second Language (ESL) populations.

Ms. Ball implemented and organized an annual STEM carnival which draws over 650 parents, students, and community leaders annually. She has served as a Mentor Teacher for eight years, District STEM coordinator, and U.S Naval Academy SET Sail STEM Team Leader. She is a member of DoDEA’s Strategic Planning Committee and her school’s Continuous School Improvement Team. Kara has spoken professionally on “3D Printing”, “Primary Robotics”, “Code for Kids”, “Building Math Masters”, “Digital Planetarium”, and “Cardboard Arcade.” She is a Level 1 Google Educator and Carnegie Mellon LEGO Robotics Instructor. She has served as Head Coach for Girls on the Run (GOTR) as well as editor and photographer for the school yearbook.

Kara was the 2013 recipient of the Shirley J. Lowrie Award from Montgomery County Public Schools, Md., honoring an exemplary elementary education teacher. In 2016, she was DoDEA’s finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Kara earned a B.S. from Towson University and M.S. Ed. from Walden University. She is a National Board Certified Teacher and has certifications in elementary and special education.