Chico High chemistry teacher receives national award

By Ashley Gebb

agebb@chicoer.com @ashleygebb on Twitter

CHICO >> As much as they adore her, few of Jenelle Ball's students may know they are learning from one of the best chemistry teachers in the country.

Recently recognized by the American Chemical Society with the 2015 James Bryant Conant Award in High School Chemistry Teaching, the longtime Chico High educator is the second teacher in California to receive this honor since its inception in 1973. The prestigious award recognizes those who have demonstrated high quality teaching, an ability to challenge and inspire, extracurricular activities that support their work and the pursuit of continued improvement of their role as an educator.

With more than 955,000 high school chemistry teachers nationwide, the California Local Section of the American Chemical Society notes Ball is "truly one in a million." To some students, it's no surprise.

"She takes something a lot of kids dread to learn and makes it seem like a fun thing to do" said Jack Breault, a senior at Chico High.

A Chico State University alumna who graduated with her bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1982, Ball has taught chemistry at Chico High since 1987. No stranger to recognition, she received the Lloyd Ryland Award for Outstanding High School Teaching from the ACS California Local Section in 2010 and the Chico Rotary Club Educator of the Year for 2009-2010.

On a recent afternoon, a group of last year's students gushed about what a wonderful teacher she is. Surrounded by pictures of the elements and periodic table posters, they laughed as they admitted to enrolling in advanced chemistry purely for the pleasure of being in her class, and showed off a class picture in their tie-dye lab coats.

The students said Ball supports her students in and out of class, writing detailed letters of recommendation and helping them balance busy schedules of sports, electives and other demands. "Motherly," "selfless," "caring" they offered plenty of adjectives to describe her.

"She never gives up on you," said senior Sadie Bridge. "You can be zero committed to her class, don't care, and there is no way she is gonna quit on you."

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Chico High chemistry teacher receives national award