“My education has afforded me opportunities I never imagined, and this serves as my ‘why’ for creating an exceptional school in Atlanta. I dream of creating an institution that partners with families and the community to cultivate academically successful learners, liberated thinkers, and innovative problem solvers who make a positive impact on the world around them.”
Britteny Jacobs’ (she/her/hers) family often told her, “Regardless of life’s circumstances, no one can take away the knowledge you’ve learned.” She’s carried this philosophy with her throughout her career and seeks to instill that same belief in Atlanta’s students. Britteny hails from a small town in Georgia and has a family background similar to that of the students she’s served. An important component of her school design is a culturally-relevant curriculum tailored to the area’s predominantly Black community. “We will have literature that resembles students and their families and will examine history from multiple perspectives. Our instruction will be authentically engaging to students rather than driven by compliance.” Her school will combine rigorous academics with joyful learning, where teachers are motivated to come to work and students are actively engaged. “I want to inspire students who look like me to be more and do more than what society says is possible.”
Britteny started out as a kindergarten teacher in Miami, FL, and has gone on to serve in a number of leadership roles. Most recently, she was the founding dean of instruction and culture at Lefferts Gardens Ascend Lower School in Brooklyn, NY. She previously served as the manager of the assistant principal community within the KIPP Foundation, where she oversaw a cohort of novice instructional coaches, assistant principals, and deans, following her five years at KIPP Vision Primary serving in various capacities from teacher to assistant principal. Britteny holds a bachelor’s degree in advertising from the University of Georgia, and a Master of Arts in public school building leadership from Columbia University.
