Job at TACMO: Superintendent
Favorite Word: Pura Vida
Favorite Color: Rose Gold
Favorite Snack: French Fries
Favorite Local Restaurant: Little Italy
Role Model: Mom & Dad
Wanderlust Destination: Italy
Hobbies: Cooking, Traveling, Daily Exercise
"The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails."
~William Arthur Ward
Dr. Donya Ball started her career in education in 2003. She taught for five years in various elementary and middle school grades in addition to serving as a Reading Specialist. Dr. Ball began her administrative career in 2008 as elementary assistant principal (2008-2010) which led to her principalship (2010-2014) at the same site. Dr. Ball was promoted to Deputy Superintendent (2014-2019) overseeing curriculum and instruction, instructional coaching, assessment and accountability, professional development, and oversight of the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP). Donya is honored and excited to be selected as Superintendent starting July 1, 2019 at The Academies! Professional learning is a priority for Dr. Ball as she completed her Bachelor's degree with Pepperdine University (2000), Master's Degree in Curriculum & Instruction (2004) and obtained her Doctoral of Education degree in Administrative Leadership (2014). In addition to various teaching and administrative positions, Dr. Ball has held multiple leadership positions with the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) including region President maintaining a presence with both state and federal legislation and has been selected to serve on the Legislative Policy committee advocating for public education including charter schools. Dr. Ball is a member of Visalia Sunset Rotary serving on their board of directors. Dr. Ball also teaches and facilitates administrative credential courses for Tulare County Office of Education.
Dr. Ball started her career in education in 2003, teaching for five years in various grades of elementary and middle school and serving as a Reading Specialist. Donya then began her administrative career in 2008 as elementary assistant principal which led to her principalship in 2010 at the same site. She was promoted to Deputy Superintendent in 2014 overseeing curriculum and instruction, instructional coaching, assessment and accountability, professional development, and oversight of the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP). Dr. Ball also teaches and facilitates administrative credential courses for Tulare County Office of Education. In addition to various teaching and administrative positions, Dr. Ball has held multiple leadership positions with the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) including region President, maintaining a presence with both state and federal legislation, and has been selected to serve on the Legislative Policy committee advocating for public education, including charter schools. Professional learning is a priority for Dr. Ball as she completed her Bachelor's degree with Pepperdine University, went on to earn a Master's Degree in Curriculum & Instruction, and obtained her Doctoral of Education degree in Administrative Leadership in 2014. Donya is a highly capable and experienced leader who is ready to take The Academies forward.
Dr. Ball possesses a humble attitude and growth mindset. She is looking forward to working with our staff and continuing our tradition of collaborative contribution toward shared goals.
Donya and her husband Rilian have a blended family of four children, Benjamin (16), Allyson (13), Jacob (10), and Sephina (8). Life is full of attending weekend tournaments and meets for the kids including water polo, swim, basketball, and rodeo. Traveling is something the family always looks forward to with Costa Rica and Italy being recent highlights!