Walking through the hallways of Windsor Woods Elementary School, two little girls see principal Drummond Ball approaching them, causing them to pause.
As he draws nearer, the girls, in unison, drop into a curtsy and say hello.
Unfazed, Ball stops in his tracks, smiles and bows back, wishing them a good morning in return.
Though the principal, Ball is ever the teacher.
A history enthusiast, Ball works with the first-grade each year to review history, with Ball dressed in full colonial attire, including an etiquette lesson straight from the George Washington’s Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior.
His lesson always includes the proper way to bow and curtsy. It’s a lesson students take to heart.
“I can hardly walk into a first-grade class without that happening,” he said with a smile.
Ball himself will be taking his own final bow at the end of this school year. After 45 years (48 years total in education) with the school division, he is retiring.
“It’s kind of bittersweet,” Ball said.
Understandably so.
With all his work throughout the past five decades, his passion for children’s education has not dimmed. He began his career teaching in Norfolk Academy, but left for Virginia Beach in 1969, where he taught at Brookwood Elementary, and then Holland Elementary before beginning a career in administration.
Ball has been principal at Windsor Woods for 25 years now. He has personally hired every member of his faculty, with the exception of two people. At school functions, he sees former students who are now moms and dads of current students.
“It’s exciting talking about Windsor Woods,” Ball said. “The kids are so fresh. They are filled with questions and eager to learn. It’s exciting being around kids.”
Ball channels his excitement into creating the firmest foundation he can for his students’ future success. For example, Windsor Woods has created a program where fifth-grade students go on field trips to the high schools they will be one day attending.
“My job is to set their sights higher,” Ball said. “They are visiting their future. I make a big deal (and tell them) ‘This is your future.’”
They meet with student leaders, they talk to the principal and they even attend class.
Ball told the story of one little girl who had sat in an advanced math class with high school students. The teacher went over complex problems with the child and some other of her classmates in attendance. Ball watched as she came back to the bus with a concentrated look on her face.
“What’s wrong?,” Ball asked.
“You know, in that math class?,” the little girl said, “I almost got it.”
“Isn’t that great?” Ball said with a beaming smile.
Looking back over this career, Ball said he has been impressed with the technological advances made in the classroom, the assessments given to track student improvement as well as the amount of professional development opportunities the division provides.
“Things are a lot better than they used to be,” Ball said. “If I had the resources teachers have now, how better of a teacher I would be…so many possibilities.”
Though, those who know him do not know how he could be better.
“I don’t believe Drummond is replaceable,” Shirann Lewis, assistant superintendent of Elementary Schools said. “He is part of the culture and fabric of the elementary principals in Virginia Beach City Public Schools…his spirit will be greatly missed.”
For his part, Ball said he will miss working with the children each day, but he knows they are in capable hands.
“I don’t have anybody here whose main purpose is earning money,” he said. “They love children and they make a huge difference. It’s just a loving faculty and the parents are the same way. It’s a great place.”
Q&A
What was the last book you read?
I’m reading Biblical Archaeological Magazine…that reads like a book.
What was the last movie you saw?
Noah.
What is your favorite snack?
I like Fritos, and I like kettle corn. I like these little English caramels and in the middle there is chocolate. Heath bars. And, there’s a drink (in England) called Ribena, and it’s a black currant soft drink.
What is your favorite time in history ?
It’s got to be the 18th century
What’s your favorite piece of advice to give to students?
The golden rule: Do unto others that you would have others do unto you.
Drummond is the consummate Southern Gentleman and educator. He was my children’s principal twenty years ago, and I had the pleasure of working with Drummond while I was an administrator. What a great school he runs and what a gentle soul he has! Godspeed Drummond!
Congratulations and best wishes, Drummond on your retirement. Your legacy is in the thousands of childrens’ lives you have touched and the lessons you taught them will multiply to impact the goodness of the entire community. Thank you for setting such a fine example for all of us to emulate. You will always be our VBCPS true gentleman.
Drummond reminds me of Mr. Rogers. Windsor Woods was Mr. Ball’s Neighborhood. He was the person the staff, students and parents looked forward to seeing everyday. I wish you the best years yet, Mr. Ball.
Mr. Ball was my first principal at Pembroke Meadows years ago. I have seen him a few times in the years since, and I always think of him with fond thoughts. He is a kind, approachable man who was always available for help and advice. Enjoy your retirement, Mr. Ball, and God bless you for all you’ve done for the students and staff you’ve worked with.
Would loved to have met Mr. Ball I entered High School 8th grade in 1968 I dreaded spending 7 years in elementary school. I wonder which schoold districts throught out out nation do such a thing. My track coach was my P.E. teach throughout my “Five years of High School, Mr. Roy Ammons. Great man and I should have been Olympic material with more effort and a more open spirit. Still call him coach when ever I run into him. Run into my old band Teacher Mr. Swanson also, still play clarinet, well I guess I had a divided heart
Hi Mr. Ball:
Thank you so much for hiring me .Working for you has been a pleasure and I truly will miss seeing you each morning standing in the lobby greeting each one as they come threw the door . Memories are so important and I, as well as you will have many. You truly are and were a great Principal take care and enjoy your time with Mrs. Ball. I will be praying for you and wish you God’s Speed.
I would like to thank Drummond for being a valuable member of our Plaza MYP Selection Committee. I also want to send a thank you for collaborating with the Gordley boys on their MYP Community Service project to revitalize the Windsor Woods Elementary campus. His love and support for our students is genuine and greatly appreciated.
Throughout our school division and all around us are countless very special people. Not so common are those with the inherent ability to make the people around them feel special with only a trusted smile, encouraging word…or a curtsey. Drummond Ball is such and individual, and unless you’ve met him you have no idea how “revolutionary” his 45 years with us has been. Good luck to you Drummond. It is both a pleasure and an honor to know you.
Mr. Ball,
There are not enough words to describe how I feel about you and the many wonderful things you’ve done for the children and staff at WWES. My children had the pleasure of having you as their AP. My grandchildren had you as their Principal. I’m sure you’ll never forget Justice ! I had the pleasure of volunteering and subbing for over a year. Then you offered me a job.It meant so much to me that you had the confidence in me to be a part of such a wonderful school. You will be missed by so many. Just won’t be the same without you..seeing your beaming face as you greeted the children coming in each day. You set the bar too high for anyone else. Enjoy your retirement and come back to see us.
Dear Mr. Ball,
First, I would like to congratulate you on your retirement. I retired five years ago and you were in attendance that night at my delightful retirement celebration. I recall our conversation together. You have always been an easy person to talk with and your words always well spoken and meaningful. Secondly, I would like to thank you for hiring me at Pembroke Meadows. You made me feel welcomed from the first day and a valued faculty member. Our school environment was a warm, caring place for both its students and faculty. This was because of your leadership. I spent 21 years at Pembroke Meadows and loved every minute of my time there. I sincerely appreciate your kind words over the years and your very sincere spirit of friendship and professional guidance. You will be greatly missed!
There are really not enough nor the right words to capture what you mean to our sons and to us. We echo all the good things that have been said. The best thing we can think of to say is that you loved our children. You have left an important mark on their lives. We always seem to hear complaints about the public school system, but we say to ourselves, “These people have never been to Windsor Woods.” We know a lot of teachers and staff well, also, and you hired such wonderful people. We know you have done a lot for your staff as well; things others don’t know about, but that changed lives. YOU HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE, and your investment will go on. We miss you already! Love, All the Gordleys
I was hired by Mr Ball and taught in Windsor Woods for 6 years. Mr. Ball was a wonderful principal. He was so supportive of the arts. My 5th grade Art Club were so blessed by his openness and generosity. We traveled to Washington DC yearly to visit Art Museums. My 6th and last year Mr Ball not only supported me taking my Art Club to New York City…..he went as one of the chaperones along with several parents. I just ran into a former student of mine who is now a policeman.
He informed me that Mr Ball had retired. I just retired from the Norfolk Schools this year. I will always have found memories of my years at Windsor Woods and Mr. Drummond Ball!