@ontheballeducator
2025 Bezos Courage & Civility award recipient 2018 National Teacher of the Year Finalist 2018 State Teacher of the Year Ph.D. Candidate studying STEM education Academic Officer Author The views & opinions expressed are my own.
This conversation with SmartBrief prompted reflection on how learning environments shape who gets to stay curious, ask questions differently, and take the time they need.
www.smartbrief.com/original/a-v... @smartbrief.bsky.social @tcmpub.bsky.social
Honored to be featured on the Neurodiversity Leadership Wall at Davos. Designing for possibility matters.
#Neurodiversity #Neuroinclusion
@tcmpub.bsky.social
This year’s Bezos Courage & Civility Award focuses on helping all young people thrive. As a neurodivergent educator, supporting @understood.org matters deeply—too many brilliant kids are misunderstood because they learn differently. More in 2026. @tcmpub.bsky.social
Honored to share that I’ve been named a recipient of the Bezos Courage & Civility Award. This year’s focus is helping young people learn and thrive in their own ways, which is why I’m supporting the work of @understood.org. Grateful for the chance to keep pushing for more inclusive learning spaces.
2025 was supposed to be the PhD finish line. Life had other plans. Picked up a master’s in philosophy along the way and a few lessons in patience, too. Here’s to the detours that end up defining the journey. 2026, I’m coming for you.
On September 24 at 3:00 PM EST, I’ll be co-presenting with Sharlene in a free EdWeb webinar on Mathematics Intervention. @tcmpub.bsky.social Register here: home.edweb.net/webinar/buil...
What do you get when you mix science, engineering, and a little bit of music? A STEAM challenge that blows us away! Teachers designed flutes that play four pitches by adjusting the straw length, angle, and spacing. So much learning packed into one creative build! @tcmpub.bsky.social
We swung for the fences and celebrated a year of hard work, big wins, and the incredible team that made it all happen at this year’s NSM Awards Dinner. Here’s to continuing to knock it out of the park! @tcmpub.bsky.social
Day 3 of NSM brought the books to life—role-playing, reading, and remembering the joy of learning through play. When we step into the shoes of our students, we see just how powerful stories can be! @tcmpub.bsky.social
Day 2 of #NSM2025 hit it out of the park! ⚾️ From a Black Hawk pilot to a powerful team panel, we also explored how our interventions find the gap—and fill it. #SwingForTheFences @tcmpub.bsky.social
Opening Day of NSM and we’re stepping up to the plate! ⚾ From exploring powerful new intervention resources to welcoming fresh faces to the team, we’re ready to knock this year out of the park. @tcmpub.bsky.social
From colleagues to co-presenters! Had the best time teaming up in Illinois to share our favorite topic—STEAM—with passionate educators. Collaboration + creativity = the heart of STEAM! @tcmpub.bsky.social
Always a joy to reunite with fellow DoDEA State Teacher of the Year—this time as presenters for TCM! Even better? Getting to meet and collaborate with another phenomenal educator. Grateful for the energy, expertise, and passion in this space. @tcmpub.bsky.social
Kicking off summer the STEAM way!
Today we partnered with California educators to prep for their upcoming summer STEAM camp. We explored ways to build classroom community, tried out creative grouping strategies, and even figured out how to study the frogs!
@tcmpub.bsky.social
We had a blast exploring the Summer Scholars resource! From sea turtle text cards to measuring towers and retelling The Three Little Pigs with shadow puppets, teachers saw just how fun and flexible summer learning can be. @tcmpub.bsky.social
Exploring innovation one prototype at a time! Our 4th grade teachers put their engineering hats on using everyday materials like cups and straws to design prosthetic prototypes inspired by Rebuilding the Body. @tcmpub.bsky.social
Exciting news! I’m partnering with the amazing Kim Carlton for a FREE virtual PD session with @tcmpub.bsky.social. We’re sharing 3 powerful (and easy-to-use) strategies to build content knowledge through literacy.
When: Thursday, May 1 | 1–2 PM EST. Where: Online register at tcmpub.com
Autism isn’t an epidemic. It’s not destroying families.
RFK’s comments are harmful and wrong. As an autistic person, award-winning educator, and soon-to-be PhD, I’m proof we have a future.
We deserve acceptance and support—not fear. #autismawarness #disabilitysupport
Two authors, one mission: empowering educators! As Academic Officers at Teacher Created Materials and experts in our fields, we’re passionate about providing high-quality professional development in the Science of Reading and STEM. @mrsjenjump.bsky.social @tcmpub.bsky.social
Excited to be speaking at #NSTA in Philly! Join me on March 29 at 11:40 AM as I share how Smithsonian’s STEAM Readers can boost literacy and engagement in middle school science. Let’s make science make sense—one reader at a time! @tcmpub.bsky.social
After seven months of collaboration, lesson planning, and idea-sharing, we’re wrapping up an incredible coaching journey with 5th-grade teachers in Kentucky! @tcmpub.bsky.social
Excited to present at the Wisconsin Social Studies Conference on inquiry in the elementary classroom! Join me to explore strategies for fostering curiosity and critical thinking! Make sure to stop by our booth to learn more about ESS-WI. @tcmpub.bsky.social
Thank you to everyone who joined my session on career-embedded learning through STEM education! It was incredible to connect with so many passionate educators and advocates who are dedicated to sparking career curiosity in students. Let’s keep inspiring the next generation of problem-solvers!
I’m so excited to share these mini Velcro books at ESES as we dive into how nature inspires innovation—and how that sparks career curiosity! Join me for an engaging workshop session from 10:15-11:15 in Ballroom G. Can’t wait to connect and explore the power of STEM together! @tcmpub.bsky.social
Ever wonder how everyday wonders like Velcro can inspire future careers? In this session, we’ll explore how STEM fosters curiosity, problem-solving, and career connections for students. @tcmpub.bsky.social #stemeducation
Come see me next week at the ESEA National Conference. We will explore how early STEM experiences can spark career curiosity for students. #stemeducation
Seeking Women in STEM to participate in my PhD study on how childhood STEM experiences shape career interest.
If you’re interested or know someone who might be, please Email me at Kara.Ball@waldenu.edu.
#WomenInSTEM #STEMResearch #DEI #PhDStudy
My last tik tok moment was of your account. I’m glad your account was my last memory of tik tok.
Great opportunity for STEM educators! Understood.org & 3M are offering up to $1,000 in funding to support neurodivergent students in STEM. Apply by Jan 5, 2025! Learn more here: www.understood.org/en/stem #STEM #Neurodiversity #Education
STEM for every student! As educators, we have the power to make STEM lessons inclusive and accessible for all learners, including those with learning and thinking differences. www.understood.org/en/articles/...