Mr. White

Assistant Principal

My name is Steve White and I am proud to serve as North’s Assistant Principal. In my 27 years in education, I have never before seen a school community more dedicated and more loyal than North High.

Childhood:

My experiences were not what most people would consider a typical childhood. My mom divorced when I was three, remarried when I was seven to the man who ultimately adopted me—changing my name and my life. I grew up initially in rent-controlled apartments, then later a single family home. I experienced school when my last name matched my parents’ and when it didn’t; as an ‘advanced learner,’ and as a ‘regular’ student; as one who qualified for free-reduced lunch and as one who didn’t. I experienced the first-hand challenges from school-boundary changes, and also school stability. Personally experiencing these opposites while growing up shaped who I am and still guides me as an educator today.

Connections to North High and Minneapolis:

One of my grandfathers attended old North High ’48, though he dropped out to be a milkman for Ewald Brothers’ Dairy located at the corner of Golden Valley Road and Xerxes Ave N. My grandmother grew up in a house on the corner of 16^th and Knox. The house was later demolished to make space for the current North High building.

I grew up working for my dad who was a home-delivery milkman for over 40 years. His route included the Kenwood-Isles neighborhoods down to the Crosstown. From age 8 to age 28, my summer mornings began with a drive to the dairy--first to Ewald, later to Kemps at Broadway and 4^th St N.

Family:

My wife Caroline and I have been married for 21 years and live in Maple Grove with our two sons; Henry (14) and Emmitt (12). My wife is in her 19^th year of teaching biology at Maple Grove Middle School and is the University of Minnesota pole vault coach. We run a small business out of our home, selling and renting poles

Education:

’89 HS diploma - St Louis Park High School

’93 Bachelor of Arts Chemistry & Physics, Math minor - North Central College, Naperville Illinois

’97 Master of Science Education - University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

’10 Educational Specialist, k-12 Principal License - University of St. Thomas, St Paul

Athletics and Coaching:

Although I was involved in band, swimming, and track in high school, pole vaulting is what I chose to continue into college and through this day. I went to State twice in high school with a best jump of 14’. I was a two-time D-3 NCAA All-American in college and have a lifetime best of 17’4”. Last summer, at 50 years old, I cleared 14’6; ranking me 1^st in the world for men age 50-54 in 2021. The same jump also moved me to 14^th on the all-time 50-54 performance list. My goal is to clear 15ft this summer or next.

I began coaching pole vault right after college. I coached at Armstrong High School, Tech High School, University of St Thomas, St John’s/St Ben’s, and the University of Minnesota. An advocate for girls in sports; I co-lead the original movement in 1997 that led to girls getting to pole vault in Minnesota. I coached the first girls' State Champion in the event; the first MN girl to clear 11'. In my 11 years coaching D-1 pole vaulting at the UofM, I coached athletes to 13 Big 10 conference titles, 9 All-American performances, 2 Olympic Trials Qualifiers, and 1 NCAA Champion.

…So far in my time at North:

One of the efforts I am most focused on is helping kids achieve at the highest levels. In my time at North, I have helped expand our offerings and participation in advanced academics; Advanced Placement (AP), College in the Schools (CIS), and advanced math courses. My first year, we offered five college level courses and very few students took advanced math. This year we are offering ten college-level courses; including AP-Physics, AP-US Government, and AP-Computer Science. This year we also have 1/3 of our sophomores taking two math classes and over 40% of our juniors and seniors take an advanced math course. This expansion and success would not be possible without the support of our families, the dedication of our teachers, and the hard work of our students.

If at any time you have questions or concerns, please reach out to me at the contact information below. You can expect to hear back from me within 24 hours. I am honored to be North High’s assistant principal and I am honored to serve your scholar.

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