Help Johnette Recover from a Hemorrhagic Stroke

Dear Family, Friends, Alumni, Zumba Patrons and Supporters:

Johnette Roberts Ballard had a massive stroke while presenting at a professional development endeavor for elementary teachers in Glenview, Illinois (Suburb of Chicago). Below is a good reason why you should consider contributing to this worthy cause.

Johnette Roberts Ballard, one of the USA’s greatest teachers, earned the nickname “Ms. Sunshine” from her colleagues for having brought a high level of enthusiasm and professionalism to her teaching engagements.

Mrs. Ballard is a native of New Roads, LA and a 1988 graduate of Rosenwald High School. She was salutatorian of her class. She received her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Mathematics Education and a minor in Music from Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA where she was the top graduate from the College of Education. She knew from a young age that God had a special plan and calling on her life to teach. Her teaching journey began under their pecan tree in with her childhood neighbors, Deanderia and Rochelle.

Johnette started her career in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System as middle school math teacher at Scotlandville Middle for a semester, then she was assigned to Capitol Middle School where she had a strong support system of seasoned educators. She worked as an I CARE Counselor, then returned to Scotlandville Middle School and from there she went on to Kenilworth Middle as a teacher and math coach.

Johnette, an 8-time Teacher of the Year award winner, has been recognized twice as the Middle School Teacher of the Year by her colleagues at Capitol Middle in 1996 and again while teaching at Kenilworth Middle in 2006. She was recognized as an outstanding middle school math teacher by the Louisiana Association of Teachers of Mathematics and also the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra for integrating music into classroom instruction.

A National Board Certified Teacher in Early Adolescence Mathematics and Certified Elementary Mathematics Specialist, Johnette served as the coordinator of “The Singapore Math Project” in the City of Baker School System from 2008 - 2012. This initiative resulted in students attaining better problem solving skills, deeper number sense and significant increase in test scores after Year 3 of implementation. Johnette, in 2013 added wellness & fitness to her platform after she became an official Zumba Fitness Instructor.

News spread fast around the U.S. about this amazing Master Teacher in Louisiana. Through her husband’s encouragement and support, and having a desire to broaden her brand to reach more teachers and students, Johnette, founded Teach 4 L.I.F.E. Enterprise, LLC, an educational consulting company, in 2013. Her mission is to empower elementary math teachers and students to achieve a deeper understanding of mathematics and ultimately, higher achievement mathematics. She is grateful for all of the relationships that have been built over the years and the opportunities to support and collaborate with other math teachers to help students grow in math across the U.S. Anyone that has ever been educated by Mrs. Ballard insists that the positive energy that she brought to every encounter could light up a small city. “Ms. Sunshine’s” innovative Math Grooves initiative engages students in learning math using music and dance, her vocals electrified her teaching sessions whether it was in a small classroom setting or at a large conference.

During the 2016 school Teach 4 L.I.F.E. Enterprise, LLC developed into an international brand. Mr. and Mrs. Ballard was invited by the Singapore Ministry of Education to serve as U.S. Ambassadors of Education where they were instrumental in conducting comparative studies in wellness & fitness (Keith) and to compare the global impact that Singapore math is having on elementary mathematics (Johnette).

Ms. Sunshine produced 30 stellar years in education until that dreadful day on October 6, 2023 when she had a hemorrhagic stroke while facilitating a workshop in Singapore Math in Glenview, Illinois. Because of the swift action of the teachers at Guardian Angel Orthodox Day School, Mrs. Ballard was rushed to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital where their amazing team of experts produced in time lifesaving treatment. Mrs. Ballard spent 3 days in their intensive care unit and 2 days in regular inpatient care.

After prayer and consultation with medical experts, her husband Keith Ballard thought that it was in her best interest to do a medical transfer back to Louisiana in order for her to begin her healing in a familiar culture. Ballard, a National Academy of Sports Medicine Performance Enhancement Specialist established the Healing Hands Holistic Therapy initiative that consists of a collaborative team of Louisiana experts: 1.) Primary Care Doctor, 2.) Neurologist, 3.) Physical Therapist, 4.) Occupational Therapist, 5.) Speech Therapist and 6.) Recreational Therapist, was established with the sole purpose of helping his wife to make a full recovery.

We are deeply grateful for your love, support, and prayers during this trying time. Individually, for over 37 years the Ballards have consistently placed the well-being of others above their own and has helped thousands of individuals to develop into impact players in the game of life. Collectively, for the past 14 years in matrimony, Keith and Johnette have worked diligently to enhance lives and communities one individual at a time with the ultimate goal of developing global difference-makers.

Numerous individuals have expressed their solidarity, and have asked, “How can I help?” We initiated this fund in response to numerous inquiries from those who wish to lend a hand. If you are able, any contribution you make to this GoFundMe campaign will go a long way in helping cover the mounting medical expenses, and it will be a source of encouragement for Johnette as she presses her way through the 7 stages of stroke recovery.

Today, you can reciprocate their generosity and support in their time of need by making a contribution to this Fund. Because of the collaboration with the W.Y.E. Care Foundation (World Youth Exposition Care Foundation) having initiated the Ms. Sunshine’s Light Shines Again Fund all contributions are 100% tax deductible.

Any cards or letters can be sent to:

Johnette Roberts Ballard

P.O. Box 45233

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70895

Thank you for being a part of our support network as we face this challenge together.

#Ms.SunshinesLightShinesAgain | #ZumbaFitnessForLife

Romans 8:28

“My GOD is awesome, He can move all mountains”

In Faith & with Heartfelt Gratitude,

The Roberts & Ballard Families