Janice Carol Ball, 66, passed away Jan. 31 of cancer. She was an instructor of Academic Strategies courses in the Humanities Division at EC

While teaching at EC, Ball also helped to expand the tutoring program and set up classes to teach people to tutor.

Fellow Academic Strategies instructor Sharon Van Eno recalls working with Ball.

“She and I have been friends for 42 years,” Eno said. “She had a strong commitment to helping students who needed an extra hand.”

Ball’s commitment to helping students  brought her to fundraise for the Mammograms and Manicures program at EC, which provides free mammograms to students in need.

Ball started her educational career as a preschool teacher before moving on to Redondo Union High School, where she developed the Alternative Curriculum Education (ACE) program.

Eno said ACE helps last-chance students who are on the verge of expulsion.

Eno also said Ball was the perfect person to work with troubled students.

“She was a very casual person, she could put up with any issues without getting upset in any way,” Eno said.

According to her obituary in the Daily Breeze, Ball fought cancer for 12 years and is survived by her husband, her two sons, and her many contributions to EC.

“She liked to help students move into the realm of being successful,” Eno said.