Carl White’s motivation during his career in education has been simple, to help young people achieve the very best versions of themselves and to be the very best servant leader he can be.
Over the last decade as principal at Midland Valley High School, White has utilized his leadership skills to accomplish those goals while actively supporting new student growth opportunities such as the Early College Program that has produced two cohorts of graduates from Aiken Technical College in just two years. During his time leading the Mustangs, the school has been an annual school district leader in United Way and Relay For Life campaigns, while donating $1,000 to each feeder elementary school on at least two occasions. Midland Valley High School also earned prestigious Palmetto Gold recognition in consecutive school years, from 2013-14, and 2014-15, for its Overall Performance and Closing the Achievement Gap.
White’s career in education began as a school counselor and special needs coordinator and his record of fostering a community of inclusivity for all students at Midland Valley is impressive. The school has hosted the annual South Carolina Area 15 Spring Games of the Special Olympics for many years and it was honored during the 2017 games as a Special Olympics Unified Champion School for its inclusive school climate. At the time, Midland Valley was one of just eight schools in the state considered a banner school, an elite distinction, by the Special Olympics.
White will continue that leadership in supporting students and staff in an expanded role during the 2020-21 school year as the school district’s new Director of Student Services.
Aiken County Board of Education members approved White’s appointment as the Director of Student Services for the 2020-21 school year during the school board’s June 23 regularly scheduled meeting. Dedicating a director to the school system’s division of Student Services will provide enhanced leadership aimed to support the social emotional needs of students.
“I am very excited about this new opportunity to work with so many more students and different people from across the District,” White stated. “Being able to come in and support even more students and staff at different levels is a great opportunity so these are very exciting times for me.”
During his time as principal at Midland Valley High, White could often be found performing any task needed at the school, including cutting grass, something he enjoyed. He says as a servant leader it’s important to serve in any capacity needed on any given day.
“I do not think I have ever asked anyone to do anything I wouldn’t do myself so as a servant leader I need to be ready to roll up my sleeves and do whatever it takes to get the job done,” White commented. “I’m definitely a team player. That’s just who I am.”
White’s academic background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Troy University, a Master of Education Degree in Counselor Education from South Carolina State University, and a Master of Education Degree in Educational Leadership from Augusta State University. He also holds Master Plus-30 certification in Counselor Education, and an Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from Augusta University.
Additionally, White was recognized as a Riley Institute Diversity Fellow in 2019, and completed the South Carolina Leadership Executive Institute’s BB&T Leadership Institute in 2018.
White says he is indebted to everyone at Midland Valley High and Area Three for the kindness they’ve shown him during his tenure as principal.
“The support I received from the teachers, staff and the community at Midland Valley has been amazing,” White stated. “They accepted me from the first day I arrived and I just cannot thank them enough for what they’ve done for me. No matter where I go or what I do I will always consider myself a part of the Midland Valley community because of the love they’ve shown me.”
Prior to his service at Midland Valley, White was an assistant principal at Aiken High School, then principal at Schofield Middle School. Prior to his career in school administration, he served as an extended school year site director, and supported students during five years as a school counselor and special education coordinator at Aiken High School.
“The three years I served as principal of Schofield Middle were three of the best years of my career and I thought it couldn’t be topped, but the last 10 years have been such a blessing to me,” White added. “When I was at Aiken High they treated me like I was important so my destiny has really been set in the way the people here have supported me. There have been people here in Aiken County who have set the bar really high from a standpoint of support and just caring about me personally so I want to be able to be that same kind of person for others.”
White is a member of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators, the South Carolina State Council of the International Reading Association, and Aiken Council of the International Reading Association.
“This new role will allow me to serve my school district in a different capacity and that’s exciting,” White added. “Supporting even more students in our school district the way I have been supported throughout my experience here is a great opportunity. I have been blessed to serve with some amazing people in Aiken County and I know that will continue in the future.”
White will begin his duties as the District’s Director of Student Services in July.
LINK TO DISTRICT PRESS RELEASE: 2020 PR DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES