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DR. JO ANN FORD
IN HER OWN WORDS
"The greatest resource that any
country can have is its children. My passion and commitment are our
children. I envision a community where no child is alone, hurt,
hungry, or rejected and where every child is treated with dignity and
respect. All children must receive equitable opportunities to a solid
public education in order to succeed in life.
"I was a teacher and principal for 48 years and have devoted my life
to helping children develop into productive citizens. Upon retirement
in 2000, my commitment compelled me to continue giving time, effort,
service, and support to make a difference in the lives of children. At
age 72, I continue to volunteer for children in Jarrell Independent
School District (JISD), in Georgetown Independent School District
(GISD), and across Williamson County.
"When I was a principal, I encountered many children with obstacles
that impeded their academic success: poverty, homelessness, abuse,
hunger, dysfunctional relationships, and inadequate medical care.
These children were without the comforts that I knew as a child. All
children deserve to develop emotionally, socially, physically, and
academically so that they are able to experience success and
productivity.
"I truly feel that children in our schools need all of us as they grow
through life’s experiences. One of my most important contributions was
seeing my dream for a community clinic with pediatric services become
a reality. One Sunday afternoon five years ago, I invited several
doctors and their wives for a get-together after church. I shared with
them how important children’s health and welfare are to their academic
success. Many underprivileged kids do not have adequate health care or
insurance. In Georgetown and across Williamson County, there were no
providers for children on Medicaid. The closest services were in south
Austin and often transportation was unavailable. After that initial
meeting I investigated options and developed a community team that
could help me realize the dream of a community clinic. My mission was
to mobilize our community to provide adequate health care for our kids
in Georgetown. A hungry child can’t focus on learning; a child without
glasses can’t learn to read.
"After two years of planning, the clinic opened to serve
underprivileged children and their families. The Georgetown Community
Clinic has dental, medical, pediatric, and psychiatric services and an
on-site pharmacy. In its second year of operation (2004) The Community
Clinic had served 25,000 children and their families from Georgetown
and surrounding areas and served more this year.
"Understanding that children’s health impacts academic success, I have
engineered the Mission of Mercy for the past two years. Through
Mission of Mercy over 50 physicians, dentists, and optometrists
provide free medical care to over 2000 in Georgetown, Jarrell, and
Williamson County children. This year, over 550 received glasses,
hearing aids, and treatment for glaucoma and diabetes. In addition, I
organized educational programs at all nine Georgetown elementary
campuses where local physicians have conducted dental check-ups and
drug/alcohol prevention activities in every class for the past several
years.
"Another rewarding contribution was becoming a mentor. After the first
visit with my mentee, I knew that we were a perfect match. We both
have much in common; we are both legally blind. I mentored Lacey from
5th grade until she graduated from Georgetown High School. I was so
proud of her…off to college ready to meet the world head-on. Our
friendship continues to grow every day. A mentor can positively impact
and truly make a difference in a child’s life—a relationship that can
last a lifetime.
"Through my personal experience as a mentor, I realized the positive
impact that an adult role model can have in the academic, social, and
civic development of a child. Therefore, I helped to establish a
mentor program in Jarrell schools this year. I called upon my many
friends, my church family, and my neighbors in Sun City retirement
community to become mentors. And I don’t take no for an answer.
"I believe that excellence in education is the key to our nation’s
future. We must empower all our children with the best schools and
guidance possible if we are truly to prepare for the challenges of
tomorrow. At a time when we face stark choices about how best to
strengthen the future of our great nation, our commitment to education
and to children must stand absolutely firm. We have a sacred
obligation to put children’s needs first and to make the essential
investments that will help them to succeed."
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Jo Ann Ford’s life full of serving her
community began in 1933 in Dallas,
Texas. She was born to Phylis Jo Summer and
was adopted at the age of 4 ½ by HL and Bernice Cravens. This new
family welcomed her with open arms. Through them she gained a brother,
HL Jr. and was called Jo Ann by her new family. Jo Ann’s greatest
childhood influence was her grandmother, Moma, who died when Jo Ann
was 20.
As a child, Jo Ann and her brother
enjoyed horseback riding in Brownwood,
Texas. While attending Brownwood Elementary,
she met many friends with whom she enjoyed celebrating Easter with a
large party. She participated in “The Aurora” – a secret sorority
while in high school. Jo Ann enjoyed her time spent at Aquarena
Springs where she was one of the first swimmers admitted.
During her early adulthood, Jo Ann married
a Korean War veteran, Harlan Ford, who was also a teacher and the Dean
of the San Marcos
Baptist Academy.
While Harlan served as the Dean in
San Marcos, Jo Ann taught history,
English, and PE. She and Harlan were blessed with two sons: Bob and
Bill. As a family, they enjoyed traveling the world. Bob and Bill
especially enjoyed riding horses at their grandparent’s ranch much
like Jo Ann did as a child. While raising her children, Jo Ann
obtained a Master’s degree in Health Education and Counseling from The
University of Northern Colorado and a doctorate from
Texas A&M
University in Interdisciplinary Education.
One of Jo Ann’s favorite roles in life was
grandmother to Merideth and Garrett. Her grandkids affectionately
called her “Gramsie". Her son Bill and his family live in
San Antonio where Bill practices law. Her son,
Bob, passed away in 1994 at the age of 40.
Another one of Dr. Ford’s life roles was
that of an educator. During this time Jo Ann began teaching in
Georgetown ISD. Dr. Ford was the first Vocational Adjustment
Coordinator in the state and district at
Georgetown High School.
She then proceeded to become the principal at Westside Elementary and
continued on to reopen Central Elementary, currently called Williams
Elementary. She went on to become the principal at Pickett Elementary
and
Benold Middle School.
Dr. Jo Ann Ford retired after many years of serving in Georgetown ISD.
During her tenure as principal, Dr. Ford
was known for her innovative ways of actively working with the
students. Dr. Ford initiated the Veteran’s Day Program, Halloween
Dress up at the elementary schools, popcorn parties for birthdays, and
Texas Day Rodeos.
Some of you may remember when Dr. Ford
challenged the students at Williams to collect 100,000 pennies in
order to finance an air conditioning unit for the gym. They then
counted these pennies by laying them out across the gym floor. Wanting
to help all children have an opportunity to learn, Dr. Ford also
brought the Migrant Program to Westside. Dr. Ford’s work in the
community has not gone unnoticed. She is featured in a mural located
at Benold
Middle School.
After retiring as principal, Dr. Ford had
no plans of slowing down on her mission to give all she has to enrich
the lives of children. Jo Ann continued to be a mentor as well as
begin a mentoring program in Jarrell ISD. Dr. Ford invited fifth
graders from GISD and Jarrell to the annual Van Cliburn Educational
Music Concert. Because of a program headed by Jo Ann Ford,
underprivileged children receive instruments making them able to
participate in band and orchestra. She also helped organize a
Geography Bee with Sun City residents and fifth grade students in
Jarrell.
Jo Ann Ford was also known and recognized
for her community service. Jo Ann Ford served as a mentor to a blind
student, a supporter of the DARE program, organized the Christmas Day
meal for 17 years, as well as The Family Outreach Center. Dr. Ford’s
crowning accomplishment was the development and establishment of The
Community Clinic. The Community Clinic provides affordable healthcare
services to low income and indigent families.
After all of her community involvement, Jo
Ann Ford still found time for her friends. She was involved in the
same Bridge Club for 35 years and loved spending time with all of her
friends. In her spare time, she enjoyed traveling especially to
New York City and the coast.
In the fall of 2003, the GISD School
Board, after a ground swell of support from the community, voted to
name the ninth elementary school after Dr. Jo Ann Ford. Dr. Jo Ann
Ford Elementary School will provide a living testimony to Dr. Ford’s
service as a leader of this community and of her outstanding
character.
Sadly, Dr. Jo Ann Ford passed away on Friday, February 3, 2006. Dr. Ford will
be remembered for all of her contributions to the community of
Georgetown. Jo Ann Ford will be
missed as a mother, grandmother, friend, educator, and advocate to all
of those who knew her. Thank you Dr. Ford for everything.
Highlights from
Dr. Ford's Career
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1998-2000 Administrator at
Alternative Schools-GAP
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1995-1998 Principal of
Benold Middle School
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1993-1995 Principal of
Pickett Elementary
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1983-1993 Principal of
Central Middle School later renamed Williams Elementary
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1975-1983 Principal of
Carver Elementary
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1968-1974 Teacher at
Georgetown High School-then in 1970 became the vocational
supervisor/director
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1967-1968 Teacher in El
Paso ISD
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1961-1965 Teacher at Alpine
ISD
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1955-1959 Instructor at
Southwest Texas State College
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1951-1957 Teacher at San
Marcos Academy
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