Karen White is the new principal at Snow Rogers Elementary.

By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson News



Karen White could be found at Snow Rogers Elementary in her blue jeans on Friday, working with other staff to prepare for the school’s open house on Monday.

Friday marked White’s second full week as the new principal at Snow Rogers.

White steps in behind former principal Dr. Robin Gillespie, who was recently promoted to supervisor of gifted education for the Jefferson County Board of Education.

“I thought she was a perfect choice for Snow Rogers,” said Gillespie, who still lives in Mt. Olive. She was in her third year at Snow Rogers.

Gillespie replaces Shirley Farrell, who left the county position to work for the Alabama Department of Education’s division of gifted education.

“I do miss the kids, but I enjoy the work,” said Gillespie.

White was also promoted. She was the assistant principal at Bryan Elementary School in Morris until being named as Snow Rogers’ principal.

“I had a very strong mentoring principal in Debra Campbell,” said White of Bryan’s principal. “She taught me so much and became my friend. She’s someone I can call on at any time.”

Campbell was also a former Snow Rogers principal. White thinks that her professional relationship with Campbell is a big reason that she, White, was considered for the Snow Rogers position.

“She is very well-respected in the county,” White said.

White has been a member of the community for a long time. For more than 20 years, she served as a classroom teacher.

She taught at Fultondale Elementary for 13 years, and then served as a teacher in residence at UAB for two years instructing teachers in the elementary education program.

White then taught first grade at Gardendale Elementary School for six years.

“All of those experiences have made me who I am today,” said White. “That’s really why I feel I can do the job of a principal.”

She said her first two weeks in the position have been “absolutely wonderful.”

“The minute I stepped through the door, I knew this is where I was supposed to be,” she said. “I had a peace that only God can give you when you’re dong what you’re supposed to do.”

White said there is only one reason that she hasn’t missed being a classroom teacher.

“I’m in classrooms every day,” she said. Her biggest fear when going into administration was losing touch with children. But that has not happened.

“Now I have more opportunities to impact children by the decisions I make,” she said.

Snow Rogers staff say the transition is going well.

Wanda Carlisle, a fourth-grade teacher, filled in as principal for a week before White arrived.

Carlisle said that everything so far has been positive and upbeat. She said she has heard no negative comments at all from teachers, students or parents.

LeAnna Brown, office assistant, agrees.

“Things have been very smooth,” said Brown. “We’re really excited.”

When not at work, White enjoys spending time with her family at the lake.

She and her husband Rick White live in Gardendale. They have three children: Danielle (Keith) Nesmith, Zac (Miki) White and Lexi White; and four grandchildren: Will, Susannah and Sara Beth Nesmith, and Jake White. They have another grandchild on the way.