Graduate Student, Educational Theory and Practice, Mary Frances Early College of Education Brittney Kilgore is a student at the University of Georgia, receiving her Ph.D. in Educational Theory and Practice. She is particularly interested in understanding historical patterns in public schooling concerning black children and harmful integration factors that affected the recruitment of black teachers. Recently, her work focuses on identifying Jeanes teachers in Athens, GA, who assisted with uplifting and reforming ideas about black public schools during segregation and the principles in place to change how society views black children. With this research, she plans to work tirelessly in the field of education so that historically disadvantaged students would receive equitable public education. As she continues her educational endeavors, she seeks to analyze new data to inform educators and stakeholders on the best practices to address societal issues in curriculum and teaching. As she approaches the third year of her program, she remembers Dr. James Young's contributions to her educational framework and philosophy, which stated, "The public education system is beneath black children" - Asa G. Hillard. This inspires her to continue to advocate that black students are more than capable and that black teachers are more than qualified.
