#USA #New York #Understood.org #Bezos Award #Kara Ball

Kara Ball Receives Prestigious Bezos Courage & Civility Award

Kara Ball, a dedicated educator known for her impactful work in inclusive STEM education, has been honored with the Bezos Courage & Civility Award by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos. This recognition is not only a testament to her exceptional leadership but also a significant boost to Understood.org, a nonprofit organization championing the needs of the 70 million people in the U.S. living with learning and thinking differences, including ADHD and dyslexia.

A $5 Million Grant for Future Innovators

As part of the award, Ball has decided to direct a remarkable $5 million grant to Understood.org. This funding aims to enhance programs that ensure equitable access to STEM education for students facing learning challenges. Through this initiative, she strives to ignite curiosity and foster a sense of belonging among these students, empowering them to explore and excel in STEM fields.

Elevating Inclusive Learning Environments

The 2025 Bezos Courage & Civility Award ceremony aims to educate and inspire the public about the importance of cultivating inclusive learning environments. Kara Ball joins a cohort of award recipients committed to challenging conventional norms to make educational settings welcoming for every learner, especially those who learn differently.

A prominent advocate for inquiry-based education, Ball has been instrumental in integrating engaging STEM experiences into classrooms. Her efforts focus on designing curricula that promote critical, creative, and inclusive thinking, both for educators and students. After being named State Teacher of the Year in 2018 and becoming a finalist for the National Teacher of the Year, she currently serves as an academic officer at Teacher Created Materials and is pursuing a Ph.D. in STEM education.

The Role of Understood.org

Understood.org has played a pivotal role in fostering inclusive learning for over a decade, offering digital resources and tools created by experts specifically for individuals with learning differences. The platform garners approximately 20 million visitors annually, providing a wealth of information for parents, educators, and neurodivergent individuals.

Since her induction into Understood’s Expert Network in 2019, Ball has contributed to developing valuable STEM resources and has provided support in crafting inclusive STEM lessons. She has also led professional training sessions for teachers, emphasizing the creation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Being a neurodivergent educator herself, Ball passionately draws from her experiences to advocate for necessary changes in educational practices.

A Vision for the Future

Understood.org's ambitious goal is to reach 100 million people by 2030. The transformative grant from Kara Ball, a fervent supporter of their mission, aligns perfectly with this objective, aiming to expand and create broader access to rich STEM opportunities for students with learning differences.

“This award highlights a deeply personal commitment to ensuring that all students — including those with learning differences and advanced capabilities — can learn and thrive uniquely,” declared Ball.

“Understood.org’s mission resonates with my dedication as both an educator and as someone who has faced similar challenges. I’m confident that this funding will enhance their efforts to extend STEM opportunities to students from diverse backgrounds.”

In an emotional reflection, Ball emphasized the significance of this moment: “For a kid who grew up loving science yet often felt unseen, this award feels like a beautiful full circle.”

Follow Kara Ball

To keep updated with Kara Ball’s work and insights, you can follow her on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Bluesky. Additionally, her book titled 50 Strategies for Teaching STEAM Skills provides educators with practical strategies for fostering inclusive learning environments.

About Understood.org

Understood.org is dedicated to transforming society’s understanding of learning and thinking differences. The nonprofit's resources empower individuals to navigate their challenges, gain confidence, and find support, ultimately promoting a community where everyone has the opportunity to realize their potential. For more information or to contribute, visit Understood.org. Learn more about their efforts to create inclusive STEM classrooms at Understood.org/STEM.

About the Bezos Courage & Civility Award

Established in 2021, the Bezos Courage & Civility Award recognizes individuals who tackle complex challenges with courage and civility. The award emphasizes the importance of collaborative efforts in driving meaningful change. Each recipient designates a nonprofit organization to receive a grant in support of their work, embodying the belief that transformative progress arises from bold action combined with shared collaboration.