Most people are lucky enough to have at least one once-in-a-lifetime, inspiring, amazing teacher. For countless children, that teacher is Harriett Ball of Houston, TX.
She's been motivating public school students for over 25 years, using rhymes and rhythms to teach math and reading to kids who have fallen behind. To principals, she is a rebel; to many fellow teachers, a force to be reckoned with. And to students, she has been a savior. She went on to become the inspiration for KIPP Academies, a successful network of charter schools. Here, Ball talks about what's right and wrong with education today and what teachers can do to make a difference.
Q: Would you say that teaching has been a calling for you?
A: Since I was a little girl, my friends would say, "What are we going to play today?" I'd say, "Let's play school." And I was always the teacher, and the neighborhood kids were my students under the tree in the backyard at my house.
"When you write on the board,
kids need to see you.
Turn to the side and be like Stretch Armstrong!"
Q: What's the main challenge for teachers who are striving to give children a quality education?
A: Making their classroom exciting and being able to capture and hold the kids' attention. Another problem is being able to relate to kids and let them know you care. As a new teacher, you're so busy trying to follow rules that it causes anxiety attacks. And you're following these archaic rules that do not work -- like "teach this on certain weeks and this on certain weeks."
Q: In what ways is our country's education system moving in the right direction?
A: We know that there is a problem and that they need to correct it. The system needs to change from the top down.
Q: What made you start thinking outside the box and trying your innovative teaching techniques?
A: It was natural. I've been doing it all my life. I always thought out-of-the-box, so when I started teaching, I was teaching out-of-the-box. They even called me "Cracker Jack" because everything was coming out... surprising.
Q: Did you meet resistance from administrators or other teachers since you were using unique teaching techniques?
A: When I was teaching the state capitals [to my elementary students], my principal walked in and said, "They really don't need that." I said, "Yes, sir," closed the door and did it anyway.
They'd say, "It's too early to do times tables with them. They don't need to read a number any bigger than three digits. That's what's going to be on the test." But I had my kids doing 15 digits. And then I taught them how to do 33 digits. I did that to the "Cha Cha Slide."
Other teachers would say, "I can't teach over here because when your children start singing, mine want to sing. You're causing me problems."
Q: What's a real world example of change you've experienced in the classroom?
A: Well, at my first job, I got everybody's "bad" kids. Turns out they did me a favor and I didn't even know it. Everybody couldn't read. Nobody knew how to add. But everybody grew up together and we out-tested everybody else in the school.
Q: What can teachers do, right now, to help improve the system?
A: Watch other teachers who are doing well. Give up your planning time and lunchtime and meet up with somebody who's willing to let you observe them. Keep asking until you find answers. Don't give up if that's your dream. If you want to be a teacher -- baby, teaching is a job. Close your door and teach those kids.
For more information about Harriett Ball's teaching techniques, visit HarriettBall.com. And find even more innovative solutions at edutopia.org.
