Dr. Willie L. White II
Dr. Willie Lee White II graduated from Eastern Michigan University with degrees in Health Administration (BS) and Public Administration (MPA) respectively. His career in education commenced as a substitute teacher with the Detroit Public Schools. He received a teaching certificate in political science, social science, and health education while teaching at Detroit Public Schools’ Cass Technical High School. During his tenure at Cass Technical High School, many of his students were among the highest achievers in the State of Michigan (Social Studies) MEAP examination. Eventually, he was promoted to Department Head of Social Studies at Detroit Henry Ford High School, where he was instrumental in developing programs that increased the school’s Social Studies MEAP scores for four consecutive years. Dr. White would eventually receive his Educational Specialist (Ed.S) from Wayne State University in Education Administration and become Assistant Principal at Detroit Martin Luther King Jr., Senior High School. Dr. White’s duties at King involved establishing community partnerships; analysis and implementation of multiple policies; aligning curriculum with mandates; and leading the athletic department. Dr. White accepted a position in the Southfield Public School district as an Assistant Principal. In Southfield, he headed the crisis intervention team, budgeting, security, and pupil population divisions at Lathrup High School. Dr. White’s presence at Lathrup High School facilitated a sharp decline in suspensions and substantially aided an increase in parental involvement. Within two years, Dr. White was appointed principal at Saginaw High School with a mission of implementing the district’s (academic turnaround) goal of increasing student achievement through collaboration with all stakeholders in a transparent and accountable process. Saginaw High Schools' Data indicated a Safe Harbor AYP with a 12% increase in MEAP and MME increases in - Math (3%);Reading (4%); Science (8%); and Social Studies (4%). (700 Students). Dr. White, a King-Chavez-Parks Fellow, graduated from Wayne State University with a Doctorate in Educational Research and Evaluation and would assume a principalship at River Rouge High School - where, in a span of three months, suspensions were down 73% (compared to the same months the prior year) and enrollment increased 15% from the prior year. The percentage of students that met the NWEA projection growth in Math were: Grade 9 – 54%; Grade 10-56%; and Grade 11- 54%. The prior year the scores were 37%, 32%, and 53% respectively for Grades 9-11 (950 students). Currently, Dr. White is the principal of Frederick Douglass Academy for Young Men where, in his first year, the National SAT scores increased from an overall mean score of 772 (2016-2017) to 842 (2017-2018). In fact, during Dr. White's tenure, Douglass' graduation rate has increased from 58% to 80% and ranking among DPSCD high schools has increased from 18th to 5th (according to mischooldata.org School Quality/Success Index and Overall Index). The academic accomplishments are trumped by Dr. White's yearning to serve the community at a deeper level. Many of the issues faced by students are rooted in trauma sensitive triggers that are societal; to that end, Dr. White espouses his personal experiences that are relatable to his student population, which facilitates and allows him to service them distinctively.
