Author Archives: Stan Jester

Join us Monday March 20 at the 7pm DeKalb Schools Board Business Meeting, where Whitney Ingram will give the inspiration and lead us in the pledge.
Dr. Whitney Ingram was born and raised in Stone Mountain and is a graduate of Stephenson High School. She received her undergraduate from the University of Georgia where she also became the first black female to receive her Ph.D. in Physics last December. As a UGA “Double Dawg,” she is currently one of less than 100 black women in the country to have a Ph.D. in Physics.
Earlier this week, Nancy and I, along with various leaders in education including Paul Womack, Don McChesney, Pam Speaks, Don Speaks, Mike Davis, and Mike Erwin, had the privilege of hosting Dr. Ingram for dinner.
I was particularly fascinated to learn some of the details about her childhood.
Dr. Ingram was born premature. Early on, there were concerns that she might have learning disabilities. The education system never identified her as “gifted”. She did display an amazing ability to focus and persist through challenges until she understood a subject. She described how she would stick with something until she got it. She recognized that it takes time and focus to learn many things and was willing to invest in that endeavor.
Recently, research has found that a quality labeled “grit” has much to do with academic achievement. Dr. Ingram is definitely an example of this. She was also blessed to have a mom and dad that encouraged her all along the way. Dr. Ingram is a blessing and an example for us all.