Mary Kay Bacallao serves as Professor of Education at Mercer University's Tift College of Education. Her extensive career spans academic leadership, classroom teaching, and federal grant management. Prior to Mercer, she held teaching positions in Miami-Dade and Broward County public schools, served as Associate Professor at St. Thomas University, and worked as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Florida Atlantic University. Her educational background includes: EdD in Educational Leadership, Florida Atlantic University (1996) EdS in Educational Leadership, Florida Atlantic University (1994) MEd in Educational Leadership, Florida Atlantic University (1991) BA in Elementary Education, Miami Christian College (1988) Bacallao's research spans critical intersections of education law, historical analysis, and pedagogical practice. Her recent publications demonstrate deep engagement with constitutional interpretation in education contexts, historical analysis of legal frameworks, and equity-focused policy development. She has authored significant legal scholarship addressing federal education funding, judicial interpretation methodologies, and constitutional personhood debates. Her scholarly contributions include: Federal education law case analyses Historical constitutional interpretation studies Legislative reports on educational equity Special education policy recommendations International genocide studies examining educational systems Professional recognition includes: National Patent Application Drafting Competition Eastern Regional Finalist (2021) Bacallao has secured and managed multiple Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers to Use Technology grants from the U.S. Department of Education. Her academic leadership extends to service on Georgia Senate study committees examining educational disparities. She teaches foundational courses including Instructional Technologies for Teaching and Learning, Construction of Scientific and Mathematical Thinking, and Building Mathematical Competence and Confidence in Learners.








