Emerging Leaders Class of 2018

Nicole J. Ball is a Literacy Specialist with nearly a decade of experience teaching adolescent learners in and around the City of Buffalo, NY. Currently, Ball is teaching full-time, supporting adolescent learners in the Cheektowaga Central School District, and working with adult learners, teaching Literacy courses through the Graduate Literacy Program at Medaille College. She is dedicated to reimagining public education in Buffalo, prioritizing equity for marginalized communities of color specifically.

As a 2018 Emerging Leader, Ball will focus on building meaningful relationships in the community with all stakeholders involved in public education. She remains committed to addressing systemic racism in our schools and the resulting disproportionality in special education referrals, literacy support qualification, and discipline referrals in particular. Knowing that diversity increases innovation, Ball hopes to collaborate with a diverse team of social justice educators, leaders, parents, and local organizations to build and grow in areas including: trauma informed classroom training, culturally responsive teaching approach, critical literacies infused with relevant curriculum design, discipline with dignity, and restorative practice.