Spending her free time in middle school and high school babysitting children, White said she knew her calling when it came time to decide on her life path. The Chicago native decided to pursue her passion for education away from home.
White earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and a Master of Arts in teaching from Miami University. This education prepared her for a career at Alliance, starting as a classroom teacher and transitioning into a dean role in 2010.
This culmination of passion and experience laid the groundwork for White to serve students and families as a principal, the position she’s been in since 2020. White said her favorite aspect of the role is supporting her community.
“I love making an impact on students’ lives,” White said. “Whether it’s socially or emotionally, even with their families, we are making a bigger impact. In the end, that support helps us see students grow over time.”
One major point of pride for White has been the sustained growth Alliance students have shown in their academic achievement and proficiency. She was overjoyed when the school was honored with a 2024 State Accountability Eagle Award by National Heritage Academies (NHA). The award, which is given based on state test results, is a tangible result of the efforts White and her staff have put into supporting student growth and achievement.
Parental partnerships have also been a priority for White. She said increasing positive communication with families and providing family-oriented school events are ways she activates parents.
“We want to help parents learn how to support their students,” White said. “When students have that support long-term, not only here at school but also in their homes, it will help grow students in school and in the real world.”
The support from White and her staff also is helping scholars outside of the school’s walls. White credits NHA’s Moral Focus curriculum with helping students grow as citizens. She said her favorite Moral Focus virtue is gratitude.
“I love gratitude because I always want people to be thankful for anything and everything that comes to them,” White said. “I try to focus on the good things so people want to come back the next day. It can be easy to get wrapped up in the bad or the negative.”
After nearly 20 years at Alliance as a teacher, dean, and principal, White said she is excited to return each day, spreading positivity and supporting her staff, students, and their families.
Quick Facts:
- Principal White loves country music, and one singer is especially her favorite: Kane Brown. She has been to many of his concerts and already has her tickets for upcoming shows.
- She is a fan of the Cincinnati Bengals, rarely missing a home game. Her favorite player for the team is star receiver Jamarr Chase.
- Principal White often chooses Mexican food for her favorite meals and enjoys reading in her spare time.
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About Alliance Academy of Cincinnati
Alliance Academy of Cincinnati is a tuition-free, public charter school in Cincinnati, Ohio, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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