Read the entire bio - Dr. Alvin G. White:Education is not a four letter

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Alvin George White, the oldest of four children born to George and Victoria White, was
born in Jacksonville, Florida. He attended St. Pius Catholic School at the age of four and
was placed in the first grade. He then attended the local public schools and graduated
from Stanton High School. He received the Bachelor of Science degree from Florida A&M
University, Tallahassee, Florida; the Master of Arts degree from Columbia University,
New York; and the Doctor of Education degree from NOVA Southeastern University, Ft.
Lauderdale, Florida.
He started his teaching career in Okeechobee, Florida, and after his first year was drafted into
the United States Navy. While there, he served as a personnelman, 2nd Class and played
basketball and baseball for the U. S. Naval Sixth Fleet. After being honorably discharged, he started his teaching
career in the Duval County Public School System in 1959. He taught 6th grade at Oakland Elementary School while
coaching at Matthew W. Gilbert Junior-Senior High School. He then became Athletic Director and basketball coach
at A. L. Lewis Junior High School; head football coach at Stanton Vocational High School; and Athletic Director and
head football coach at EuGene Butler Junior-Senior High School.
During the beginning of desegregation of public schools in Duval County, Dr. White became the first black vice-principal
of a predominately white school, Robert E. Lee High School, and then the first black principal of a predominately
white school, Jean Ribault Senior High School. He was also one of the first black Area Assistant Superintendents in
Duval County. He has served as Assistant Superintendent for Desegregation; Assistant Superintendent for Human
Resources; and retired in 1997 as the Chief Operating Officer for the Duval County Public School System, consisting
of 12,000 employees and over 126,000 students.
One month after retiring from the Duval County Public School System, this high-energy educator was appointed
Director of the College of Education at Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, Florida. During his four-year tenure
at Jacksonville University, Dr. White is most proud of his leadership in the preparation of future principals and
administrators in the public and private school systems of Jacksonville and surrounding counties. Presently eight of
his graduate students are principals and many others are assistant administrators.
After retiring from Jacksonville University, he seriously considered playing golf and going fishing as full-time endeavors;
however, his passion for education found him involved at Nova Southeastern University as the Coordinator of Graduate
Programs in Jacksonville. In addition, he became a consultant for the Duval County Public School System working
with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to provide professional consultant services as the district
pursued district accreditation status. In February 2008, he left retirement and returned to the Duval County Public
School System as Chief of Staff and Partnerships.
Dr. White’s community involvement is numerous. He serves on the Board of James Weldon Johnson Branch YMCA;
vice-chairman of the Education Committee, Jacksonville Branch, NAACP; vice-chairman of the Florida State
Education Committee, NAACP; life member of the NAACP, Kappa Alpha Psi, and Florida A&M University Alumni
Association; member of National Conference for Community and Justice; vice-chairman of the Florida Committee,
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; past Sire Archon of Gamma Beta Boule, Sigma Pi Phi; and placed in
the Gallery of Distinction for Academic Achievement, Florida A&M University and the Athletic Hall of Fame, Florida
A&M University.
Dr. White is a member of St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church where he holds the unique distinction of having served as
Senior Warden for St. Phillips and St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Churches for a total of 12 years. He is a licensed lay reader
and chalice bearer for the Diocese of Florida. He was also instrumental in the founding of the youth choir at St.
Gabriel’s Episcopal Church.
He is the recipient of over 100 honors and awards. When asked which one he admires and appreciates the most, he
will quickly tell you that the “Blodgett Homes Wall of Fame” and the “Heroes of Public Housing” awards are at the
top of the list, because these awards came from his childhood community.
Dr. White is married to the former Brenda Lundy and is the father of two children, Marcel Kevin and Altoria
Elizabeth.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Education is NOT a Four-Letter Word is an autobiography written by Dr. White as told to Mrs. Bettye Sessions.
Recounting life from childhood to today, Dr. White tells his story of growing up in Jacksonville, Florida as a child
whose goal was to succeed, but distractions often loomed near. The title tells of the need for education not to be
something that is laughed about, looked down upon, or dismissed in the neighborhoods of young people today.
Education should not be an awful “four-letter” word, but rather something that is desired and achieved without
negative repercussions.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Dr. Alvin G. WhiteAuthor, Speaker, Educational [email protected]