Veteran teacher Harriett J. Ball — an inspiration behind the KIPP charter school system — died of a heart attack Wednesday at a Houston hospital. She was 64.
Ball taught for about 35 years in the Houston and Austin school districts. She went on to become a motivational speaker, training thousands of teachers around the world on her highly regarded techniques.
Among her most effective teaching tools: Using rhymes and rhythm to captivate youngsters. Part of one of her chants: “Knowledge is power, power is money, and I want it,” became the namesake for the Knowledge is Power Program, one of the largest and most popular charter school systems in the nation.
“There would be no KIPP without Harriett,” KIPP co-founder Mike Feinberg said. “Harriett was God’s gift to the classroom. Her ability to both reach and teach children wasn’t just great for kids, it was an inspiration to a whole generation of teachers and education leaders who learned from her what was possible.”
More than 6 feet tall, Ball had a commanding presence and audacious style. But it was her heart that made her stand out, said 33-year-old Priscilla Franks, one of Ball’s four children.
“She always saw hope in every child,” Franks said. “She never looked down on children because of their neighborhood or their parents.”
‘A genius in action’
Ball used mnemonic devices, songs and movement to reach low-income children who had otherwise been written off by the public school systems. Her results astounded other teachers.
“Harriett was an incredible educator who knew how to engage students and hold them captive to her magnetic teaching,” said HISD trustee Harvin Moore, a founding member of the KIPP board. “She taught Mike and (KIPP co-founder) Dave (Levin) the dynamism that defined, and still defines KIPP.”
In late 1992, Ball began mentoring Levin and Feinberg – young Teach for America corps members – at Bastian Elementary in Houston. The novice teachers spent countless hours shadowing Ball and seeking her advice as they started their careers and eventually their charter schools.
“Watching Harriett teach was like watching a genius in action,” Levin said. “She mastered the action of reaching into the heart and mind of every kid.”
Children could sense that Ball believed in them and cared for them – a prerequisite for any great teacher, Levin said.
“In a real sense, she taught me how to show love,” Levin said. “She was an American legend whose real contribution to the children of this country will ripple through eternity.”
The KIPP charter chain continues to expand, now including 99 schools that serve about 27,000 children. The public schools help prepare low-income students for college.
Paul Franks, 30, said he’s thrilled that his mother’s message spread to so many teachers and children. They were the same values that Ball perpetuated in her own home, where she raised four children as a single mom.
“She taught me that excuses are the tools of losers,” he said. “My mom was a very humble person. She wasn’t afraid to buck the system to do what’s right for kids … I’m just so proud of my mom.”
TV appearances
Daughter Pamela Franks, 39, added: “She taught me to make good better and fast faster, and if it’s not broke, to still try to fix it. There’s always room for improvement.”
Among her numerous honors: Ball appeared on Oprah, as well as several other nationally televised shows. The city of Galveston proclaimed Sept. 14 as “Harriett Ball Day” and Ball was inducted in 2009 to the National Public Charter School Hall of Fame.
Ball was born July 1, 1946 in the Houston area.
Outside of teaching, Ball loved horses and crossword puzzles. She is survived by four children and nine grandchildren.
A wake is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday at Together We Stand Christian Church, 1430 Texas Parkway in Missouri City. A funeral follows at 11 a.m. Burial is in Spring Green Cemetery in Rosenberg.
jennifer.radcliffe@chron.com
