By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson News



Snow Rogers Elementary School opened its doors to the community on Monday to allow people to meet the school’s new principal.

Karen White stepped into the principal’s position about three weeks ago after former principal Dr. Robin Gillespie accepted a job with the Jefferson County Board of Education.

Gillespie is the BOE’s new supervisor of gifted education. She fills the slot left by Shirley Farrell, who left the county position to work for the Alabama Department of Education’s division of gifted education.

Prior to becoming Snow Rogers’ new principal, White was the assistant principal at Bryan Elementary for a year.

There, she worked alongside Bryan’s principal Debra Campbell. White said that Campbell played a big role in helping her get ready to take on the job of principal herself.

White served as a classroom teacher in northern Jefferson County for more than 20 years. For most of that time, she never considered becoming a principal.

“I just got a nudge and some encouragement from some important people in my life,” she said.

White had taught at Fultondale Elementary School for 13 years and at Gardendale Elementary for six years.

She also served as a teacher in residence at UAB for two years instructing teachers in the elementary education program.

Several community leaders, Jefferson County Board of Education staff and other visitors were on hand Monday to welcome White to the school.

The open house lasted from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday.

Then at 7 p.m., the school’s drama club and choirs put on a Christmas production called “A Von Trapp Family Christmas.”