{"id":52,"date":"2025-01-17T15:18:32","date_gmt":"2025-01-17T15:18:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sanjac.mycareerfocus.org\/spring-2025-volume-6-issue-1\/a-journey-from-sirens-to-school-bells\/"},"modified":"2025-02-18T19:32:49","modified_gmt":"2025-02-18T19:32:49","slug":"a-journey-from-sirens-to-school-bells","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sanjac.mycareerfocus.org\/spring-2025-volume-6-issue-1\/a-journey-from-sirens-to-school-bells\/","title":{"rendered":"A journey from sirens to school bells\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Janice Ball will graduate from San Jacinto College in May 2025 with a Bachelor of Applied Science in education<\/a><\/span> with an emphasis in early childhood education. The former police officer turned paraprofessional found her true passion in the classroom, particularly helping students who have special needs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ball gave up her badge after eight years to support her husband\u2019s career with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, which required frequent relocation. The couple have called many places home since leaving their hometown in Washington, D.C., including Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York, and Maryland.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Janice

<\/span> Photo courtesy of Janice Ball<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Move to Houston secured the deal<\/span><\/h3>\n

When the family moved to Houston 18 years ago, Ball transitioned to working in schools, spending the last 13 years as a paraprofessional in Humble Independent School District. Her work has focused on special education, her passion.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always loved working with special needs kids,\u201d Ball said. \u201cIn special education, you expect challenges, but I\u2019ve seen many of the same issues in general education classrooms. That\u2019s when I knew this is what I\u2019m meant to do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ball\u2019s son was having difficulty remembering things like whether he had homework and what he did at school. His teacher noticed and advised her to have him tested for seizures, even suggesting a specific facility. This teacher\u2019s concern and advice changed Ball\u2019s and her son\u2019s lives. With a new diagnosis, her son got the help he needed, and the experience inspired Ball to pursue teaching.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat experience made me want to advocate for children,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>\n

San Jac and the future<\/span><\/h3>\n

Ball initially chose the College for its proximity to home, but it would soon become a home away from home. She has already earned a certificate of technology and an Associate of Applied Science in child development\/early childhood education<\/a><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ball appreciates the Bachelor of Applied Science program\u2019s supportive environment most of all. She praises the program\u2019s structure and her professors, who \u201cgenuinely care about students\u2019 success and provide constructive feedback, which makes it feel like a family.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With her graduation approaching, Ball has a teaching job lined up for next year, working with either first grade or kindergarten students. Her long-term goal is to become a full-time special education teacher.<\/span><\/p>\n

Currently, Ball works in an applied skills classroom with students from kindergarten through fifth grade, each with unique needs and diagnoses. She values the opportunity to teach on multiple levels, which she finds challenging but rewarding.<\/span><\/p>\n

One particular moment proved she had made the right decision.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhile at my daughter\u2019s basketball game, I ran into a former student I had in elementary school, all grown up now, and she told me, \u2018You taught me how to read!\u2019 That brought me to tears, and that is when I knew I was right where I belong,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ball values honesty in education.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of room for improvement in the classroom,\u201d she said. \u201cI notice that teachers are afraid to speak to parents in fear of legalities or being told they can\u2019t say this or that, but I can\u2019t tell you your kid had a great day if they didn\u2019t. It\u2019s important to be upfront.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ball is excited about the future, and it is important to her that her students know they are loved and respected.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know what God has in store for me, but I have to make a difference,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more about the Bachelor of Applied Science in education<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

By Neesha Hosein<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Janice Ball will graduate from San Jacinto College in May 2025 with a Bachelor of Applied Science in education with an emphasis in early childhood education. The former police officer turned paraprofessional found her true passion in the classroom, particularly helping students who have special needs. 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