Going on Four Decades of Friendship

Joe Ball, NA Humanities Teacher, 1980- 2016

Joseph Kusnan ’89

In the spring of 1985 during a World Cultures class, former Humanities Teacher Joe Ball took note of the kind, empathetic and compassionate demeanor of his then-eighth grade student, Joseph Kusnan ’89. Seeing these characteristics, Joe pulled Joseph aside and encouraged him to run for ninth grade class president. Joseph had never even considered the possibility of running, but feeling empowered by his teacher, he decided to go for it. Not only was Joseph elected to the ninth grade president position by his peers, but he was subsequently re-elected as grade class president for each of the following years.

“I don’t know what made me run, but it was probably the confidence that Mr. Ball had in me,” Joseph wrote in a letter to Joe for his 70th birthday in 2020. “There is something magical [that happens] when someone places their total confidence in you at a young age, especially when that person is a teacher that you respect like Mr. Ball.”

Earning confidence from a teacher and the acceptance of his peers was a completely new experience for Joseph. He had been at two other private schools where he never felt fully welcome prior to joining Newark Academy in eighth grade. “One thing about Newark Academy that is unique is the empathy everyone has for people of all backgrounds and cultures,” Joseph says. “I always enjoyed that the teachers came from everywhere. I’ll never forget the kindness and compassion of a teacher like Mr. Joe Ball.

To have unconditional love from a teacher — now my mentor — is very, very rare. This was a very formative period for me, and Mr. Ball was the one who encouraged me.”

Outside of the classroom, the two worked closely together on The Minuteman student newspaper, which Joe advised. “This was a critical time for the newspaper, as we were able to computerize it in 1987,” recalls Joe. “Joseph was instrumental in making that happen.” Joseph later went on to become editor-in-chief.

After graduating from Newark Academy, Joseph continued to look up to Joe as a mentor. Inspired by Joe’s dedication to teaching, Joseph decided to pay it forward by becoming a mentor to other students.

“Mr. Ball opened my eyes to the world of teaching and public service,” says Joseph, who worked at the Newark Academy Summer Institute teaching kids from the Newark public school system — another opportunity encouraged by Joe. This experience eventually led Joseph to join Teach For America during college and to become devoted to nonprofit work, especially in education within the city of Newark. “Mr. Ball unlocked so many things for me,” Joseph says. “I’m very aware that this connection is unique and not everyone has it so I do feel very special. I have a gift.”

Almost four decades after that World Cultures class, the two Joe’s share a forever bond and friendship — although Joseph refuses to stop calling his former teacher and now friend, “Mr. Ball,” out of a sign of respect.

“[Joseph] is just a good, kindhearted person. I saw that in eighth grade with him. We are both lifelong learners; we love to learn, read and share in that learning together,” Joe says. “That is part of our bond — caring about each other and other people in general.”