Raised Expectations: The Story of Georgia Jeanes Teachers

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 3:35 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 1
  In Roundtable Session: Part II: Excavating Black Teacher Historiographies and the Need for Archival Justice in Educational Equity (Table 7)

Abstract

This exhibition honors the legacy of Black women educators known as Jeanes teachers, who, unlike other educators, were the gateway to accessing educational training, health services and community forums in the rural communities in the 1900’s. Due to the plagues of desegregation, Jeanes' teachers are a forgotten legacy in the artifacts of American Educational history. The impact of Jeanes teachers rests in the way school systems and teacher training programs build supervision programs, teacher training in underserved communities and models for building community relationships. These well-educated women worked as educational pioneers in the rural Black South from 1908 to 1970.
Focusing primarily on Georgia, the exhibit highlights the contributions of notable figures such as:
● Helen A. Whiting,
● Susie Wheeler
● Frances McBride
As an act of educational resistance and Black feminism, Jeanes teachers became foundational in effectively teaching underserved Black children.
Drawing on research from Harvard's Black Teacher Archive, Jeanes teachers' books, and various resources, this exhibit transforms the legacy of these nationally organized educators from static history into a living tool. "Raised Expectations" moves beyond historical narratives to highlight significant advancements in Black education, showcasing the enduring influence of Jeanes teachers on curriculum, teaching, and supervision in Black schools.

Author

• Brittney Kilgore, University of Georgia