LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Milken Family Foundation and state leaders headed to Carter G. Woodson Academy to honor a local teacher.
Each year, the Milken Family Foundation celebrates inspiring teachers around the nation.
Jacob Ball received the Milken Educator Award; the honor includes $25,000.
Ball teaches 6th through 8th grade. He also helps the school’s dual-credit programs — like agriculture communications — flourish.
“I know that your scholars developed an African-American and Hispanic agriculture wall of fame [not] only recognizes the contributions of minority individuals in ag, but also serves as an inspiration for future generations.” Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman said.
He said his students’ willingness to become bright scholars contributes to his own goalsof being an inclusive educator.
“My goal is to try and make the agriculture industry more representative of the people that we are feeding across the country. These young men have taken the opportunity and run with it,” Ball said.
Ball has been with the school for five years and is in his 13th year as an educator.
He encouraged others to continue listening and engaging with students, in hopes of creating exceptional outcomes.
“It’s not about the awards like this, it’s about the conversations [like the one] I had with my student last night who says that he thinks he wants to be a teacher,” Ball explained.
Ball said this honor was truly a heart-racing moment he will cherish forever.