About

Dr. Janet Kesterson Isbell teaches doctoral courses in qualitative research, proposal development, and literacy. She chairs the literacy concentration of the Exceptional Learning PhD program. She has published in Journal of Multicultural Affairs, Journal of Poverty, International Journal of Interdisciplinary Literacy Studies, Journal of International Students, and other publications. She is founder and former executive director of the Elinor Ross CDF Freedom School which operates on Tech’s campus and a founder, former president, and member of the Tennessee chapter of the National Association for Multicultural Education. Dr. Isbell has taught high school English and also has a background in journalism as a newspaper reporter and wire service editor. She holds a PhD in exceptional learning from Tennessee Tech, a master’s in secondary education from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, and a bachelor’s in journalism from Tennessee Tech. She has two children, two grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Degrees and Certifications

• PhD, Education, Tennessee Tech University
• MS, Secondary Education - English, University of Tennessee
• BS, English - Journalism, Tennessee Tech University