MADISON – Maria White believes learning should be dynamic, interactive and meaningful, and that mindset will blend into her new job as a secondary instructional technology specialist for Madison City Schools.
White taught at Morris, Liberty and Journey middle schools after completing several teaching fellowships with the Breakthrough Collaborative in Birmingham. Her job with MCS began in 2020.
“My experience teaching in a variety of settings and grade levels has led me to be interested in using educational technology to enhance learning and make instruction more engaging and accessible,” White said. “Participating in the Transformative Teacher Certification Program launched by Rachel Gibbs and Russell Johnson in 2023 has allowed me to grow as an educational technology coach.”
White’s new role will allow him to “further develop as a coach and lifelong learner and expand my influence on the integration of education and technology.”
Her teaching philosophy focuses on creating lessons that spark students’ curiosity and promote critical thinking and collaboration. “I take a student-centered approach and work with my students to maximize their potential and foster a love of learning,” she says. “This collaborative environment encourages students to deeply engage with the material and each other.”
As a Secondary Education Instructional Technology Specialist, White will support the integration of educational technology across the district, which includes setting and achieving educational technology goals, promoting effective use of technology in the classroom, and leading professional development sessions on digital tools.
“Additionally, I support the district’s one-to-one efforts to ensure teachers and students can effectively use technology to enhance the learning experience,” she said.
At the end of the day, White says she feels most confident when she’s been able to take the time to listen to students and faculty and provide valuable feedback: “Working with them to make improvements that will bring us all pride is incredibly rewarding.”
“Whether it’s helping students overcome challenges or working with teachers to improve the quality of their lessons, seeing the positive impact of our efforts at the end of the day gives me confidence that my work is making a meaningful difference,” White said.
White will fill the vacancy left by Russell Johnson, who left the position to work as a secondary instructional specialist following the retirement of Mary Oliver.
Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, White moved to Alabama after graduating from high school. She earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education/language arts and English from the University of Alabama. “Recognizing the transformative potential of technology in education, she decided to pursue a Master of Education in Learning, Design and Technology from the University of West Alabama and is on track to graduate in August 2023,” White said.
Her fiancé, James Copeland, works as a design engineer for Dynetics Inc. “We’re getting married in September in Huntsville,” she said.
Most people don’t know that she was the cheerleading coach at Liberty and Journey. “I loved building relationships with the young women on my team and watching them develop their skills and confidence,” White says. “It was so rewarding to watch them grow not only as athletes but also as individuals. This experience taught me so much about leadership, teamwork, and the importance of encouragement in helping others achieve their goals.”
“When I’m not teaching, I like to travel and spend time outdoors. I also like exercising, reading and baking,” White said.
