Washington and Lee University
The Sarah G. Ball Teaching Award, established in 2003 by the Ball family to honor Sarah Ball ’01, recognizes excellent preparation for teaching in elementary and secondary schools. The award will be presented to a graduating senior who is committed to teach in a school which serves a community of learners with diverse needs. The recipient of the award will receive recognition in the graduation program and a salary supplement for the first year of teaching, renewable for the second year.
Jessica Steinmetz ’08 of Sacramento, Calif., is this year’s Sarah G. Ball Teaching Award recipient. She is a politics major who also completed the teachers education program.
Steinmetz plans to teach English in China next year. “As a teacher, I truly believe that one of the most important issues I need to stress is that through education, anything can be achieved,” said Steinmetz.
Steinmetz’s professors are supportive of her desire to teach children with diverse needs. “Jess is an outstanding education student who has taken every opportunity to work in the local schools,” said Lenna Ojure, director of teacher education. “I am glad W&L is able to provide her with recognition and financial support through the Ball Award as she starts her teaching career.”
“I knew within days after Jess enrolled in my introductory course on poverty that she was committed and capable of expanding educational opportunity for the most disadvantaged children,” said Harlan Beckley, professor of religion and director of the Shepherd Poverty Program. “She is not ostentatious about her commitment, but it is part of her.”
The alternate is Yvonne Coker of Forestville, Md.
