About Mr. White:

Since 2006, I have been dedicated to providing students with transformative educational experiences that redefine what can be done in the classroom through design, inquiry, technology and research. Having started my journey as a student teacher, then substitute and temporary contract teacher in the Grossmont district, I actually learned an abundance from the most honored and respected veterans of the discipline at my alma mater, West Hills High School. After spending summers teaching ESL and facing constant job insecurity, I decided in 2010 to take the next step of my journey and began a new career here TLC Academy, our K-12 personalized learning public charter school.

As a middle and high school social studies and STEM teacher, I began piloting some of the first courses TLC had ever offered in La Mesa. Within a few years, we began integrating digital curriculum options across various subjects, growing our hybrid face to face models to be extended to three days of on site classes, all while simultaneous expanding my role in the PLTW program, teaching Middle and High School STEM electives. More recently, we have begun developing a new strand of Career Technical Education Computer Science courses (ask your EP about CAC or CSP). Nine years in now, I have taught just about every Social Science course TLC offers. In total, I have taught 17 different courses here throughout my tenure at TLC.

In 2017, I graduated with a Masters in Learning Design Technology from SDSU, and continued to work with that department as a client partner. As of 2020, I began a new role as Lecturer for LDT 525 - Virtual Reality and The Future of Learning, among other Advanced Teaching Technologies Certificate Courses I am building for 2021. Having a supercharged tech skill set that combines coding and 3D modeling, in addition to my background with design and development from PLTW courses and my work in the digital arts, I am able to empower future educators with cutting edge skills as I challenge them to apply their content mastery in innovative ways with technology so they can transform their classrooms too!

With extensive experience in public, private, charter and adult ed, across so many disciplines, my background is varied, if nothing else. As I have recently acquired three CTE credentials (Engineering, Info Communication & Tech, as well as Arts Media & Entertainment), I am excited to begin offering cross curricular projects that connect students in powerful ways to essential skills and experience they will need for a complex and changing future. Lastly, as a lifelong history enthusiast, I started a development project this past summer with the USS Midway Museum, working with a former student of mine, TLC Senior, Reggie Estrella, to manifest a vision for a new feature exhibit, Battle of Midway Augmented Reality Extreme. Having an opportunity to design and create while integrating technology with history has been a great challenge, and may become one of my greatest accomplishments. I look forward to sharing my passion, skills and experience with you all, and extending my reach far beyond the walls of the classroom.