Kara Ball is the author of 50 Strategies for Teaching STEAM Skills, an Academic Officer for Teacher Created Materials, and a professor of education. She specializes in inquiry-based learning across science, STEAM, AI, and special education, with a focus on supporting students who learn and think differently. In 2025, she was honored as one of five recipients of the Bezos Courage & Civility Award, recognizing leaders who take on meaningful challenges with courage, empathy, and civility. The award supports her ongoing efforts to advance inclusive, inquiry-driven STEM learning for all children.
Previously, Kara was a special educator and district STEM leader. In 2018, Kara was the DoDEA State Teacher of the Year and a National Teacher of the Year finalist. She was also named a Distinguished Alumni of Towson University and received the Shirley J. Lowrie “Thank You for Teaching” Award. Kara is a National Board-Certified Teacher and holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Special Education from Towson University, a Master of Science in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, and a Master of Philosophy. She can be followed at @ontheballeducator.