Miriam Foundation is pleased to announce that Dr. Andrea White has accepted the invitation to be the interim head of Miriam Academy, effective July 1, 2021.
This appointment is the result of a thoughtful process that began in early January with the identification of a search consultant and the formation
of a search committee to recruit highly qualified candidates and guide a transparent process. From an initial pool of candidates, the search committee narrowed the group to five semi-finalists and then three finalists who visited the Academy to meet with various stakeholders. Miriam is very thankful to the members of the search committee, who dedicated long hours, thoughtful insight and unique perspectives to this process.
A New York native, Dr. White has spent her entire career in special education, beginning as a teacher in public schools on Long Island before moving into administrative roles as a building leader and as a teacher coach. Dr. White moved to St. Louis in 2019 and became the director of special education at Great Circle Academy. Dr. White said, “I’m eager to begin working with everyone at Miriam to grow the One Miriam vision and to work with Academy faculty and families on developing on- and off-campus opportunities for students as they prepare for life after Miriam Academy.” Dr. White holds a bachelor’s degree in comparative literature from Hofstra University, a master’s degree in special education from Dowling College, and a PhD in literacy studies, along with administrative certificates, from Hofstra.
Dr. White is looking forward to leading Miriam Academy during a time of transition. The five-year old high school is growing into maturity, and Miriam is advancing its plan to reorganize its leadership structure to meet the extraordinary growth over the past 15 years of its three core services to children who learn differently: Miriam School, Miriam Academy and Miriam Learning Center.
Bill Florent, Interim Executive Director of Miriam Foundation, said, “Andrea impressed us from the outset with her positive energy and her understanding of children with special learning needs and their families. She’s the right person for the Academy during this exciting time.” Dr. White will succeed Dr. Sue Jackson, founding Head of Miriam Academy.
Mr. Florent said, “We are deeply grateful to Sue for her creativity and determination in growing the Academy from our inaugural group of 12 ninth-graders in leased facilities to our new permanent home and first graduating classes.”
Since moving to St. Louis, Dr. White has enjoyed exploring the area’s extensive trail systems, parks, and public attractions. She and her husband like to run in charitable foot races and are active members of the Saint Louis Art Museum, Missouri Botanical Garden and the Saint Louis Science Center.
