Dr. Christopher K. White
Tacoma,WA
Summary
Accomplished, results-driven educator with extensive leadership experience in designing and delivering high-quality, culturally responsive curriculum and instructions to diverse students and educators across urban, suburban, and rural settings, ranging from affluence and extreme poverty. Track record of spearheading planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of instructional programs to help stakeholders fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, and social growth. Passionate about building and maintaining exemplar nationally recognized programs across various disciplines and constituencies to elevate teaching and learning experiences. Skilled leader with efficiency in directing activities, initiatives, and discussions that lead to increased cultural competence of teaching staff. Adept at cultivating and nurturing robust partnerships with communities, stakeholders, and educators. Committed to promoting educational excellence through effective leadership and strategic planning.
Overview
38
38
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Director of Teaching and Learning/Summer School Principal
Kent School District 415
Kent, WA
01.2018 - Current
- Lead teachers in K-12 Art, Music, World Languages, Health & PE, redesign staffing models, update/revise curricula, and provide professional development to teachers and principals
- Cultivate and maintain robust connections in community and create strategic policies to meet social and academic growth objectives
- Design and define curriculum frameworks, learning objectives, and instructional materials aligned with educational standards
- Developed and aligned curricular Frameworks for Visual and Performing Arts, World Languages, and Health/Physical Education programs
- Enriched teaching and learning experiences by implementing best practices
- Devised and executed strategic frameworks in K-5 Health and Secondary World Language
- Successfully led adoptions of core curriculum resources in Spanish, French, Health, PE and Elementary General Music
- Evaluated and redesigned HIV and Sexual Health curricula; integrated supplemental curricular resources in Sexual Health and General Music
- Co-chaired academic subcommittee and middle school advisory committee; collaborated with members to provide insightful recommendations and improve teaching practices as part of Sixth Grade Transition team
- Served as active member of Covid Task Force; facilitated Covid K-12 remote learning by formulating curriculum K-12 in Art, Music, Health & PE, and World Languages
Director of Music/Coordinator of Talented and Gifted
Central Curry School District #1
Gold Beach, OR
01.2015 - 01.2018
- President and Chief Negotiator of the Faculty Association (Union) and led High School Site Council, fostering collaborative decision-making and school improvement
- Provided instructions for bands, choirs, and general music across grades 2-12
- Guided teams to develop K-12 Curriculum Frameworks in Science and K-5 Literacy
- Designed K-12 Music and Visual Arts Curricula where no program existed for 5 years
- Improved student preparation for future endeavors by revamping career information curriculum
- Enriched student learning experiences by developing and implementing an innovative Honors Program
- Restructured graduation requirements to align with evolving educational standards
- Devised new procedures and Handbook for Talented and Gifted (TAG) program in compliance with state laws
Director of Jazz Studies/Saxophone and Music Education
Radford University
Radford, VA
01.2007 - 01.2015
- Directed and managed Jazz studies program, overseeing all aspects of curriculum and student development
- Instructed saxophone students in musical education, while focusing on technique, repertoire, and performance skills
- Designed and implemented comprehensive music education programs, catering to needs and interests of students at various levels
- Expanded music education program by introducing a new Jazz pedagogy
- Increased Jazz Ensembles significantly by successfully adding two big bands and five combos
- Grew saxophone studio from three to fifteen students by ensuring provision of quality Jazz Studies/Saxophone and Music Education
- Featured a performance at Jazz Education Network International Conference in 2014
- Developed and implemented a Jazz Pedagogy sequence of classes, leading to the expansion of Winds and Percussion program from two groups to seven
- Established Governor's School for Arts in Music and promoted music education
Director of Instrumental Music
Virginia Governor’s School for the Arts
Radford, VA
01.2010 - 01.2014
- Educated 60+ Gifted and Talented students in Band, Jazz, Orchestra, and Woodwinds during a 30-day residential program
- Supervised applied instruction and adjunct teachers to ensure effective teaching and learning
Professor of Instrumental Music, Department Chair
Dodge City Community College
Dodge City, KS
01.2001 - 01.2007
- Led Faculty Association as President and served as Chief Contract Negotiator
- Taught numerous music subjects, including Band, Pep Band, Jazz Band and Combos, Conducting, Understanding Music, and History of Jazz
Instructor of Music Education, Kansas Synergy Access Grant
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS
01.2004 - 01.2007
- Provided valuable guidance and advice to students
- Conducted in-depth in-school observations to support students' learning and development
Instructor of Organizational Leadership
Friends University
Wichita, KS
01.2006 - 01.2007
- Revamped and taught capstone course for Organizational Leadership Bachelor's program, catering to needs of both traditional and adult learners with diverse career backgrounds
Director of Bands, Grades 5-12 (tenured)
Waterville Public Schools
Waterville, ME
01.1997 - 01.2001
- Initiated beginning elementary school band program, led junior high and Jazz bands, and achieved state awards in both categories
- Served as President of Jazz activities at Maine Music Educators Association
Director of Band Activities
Colby College
Waterville, ME
01.1990 - 01.1998
- Directed wind ensemble and chamber winds, led Jazz ensemble and Jazz combo, and provided instruction in applied woodwinds, conducting, and arranging
Artist-in-Residence, Director of Jazz, Marching & Chamber Music
Lawrence Jr/Sr HS
Fairfield, ME
01.1994 - 01.1998
- Designed, coordinated, and directed Jazz and chamber programs from scratch
- Achieved state awards in marching, Jazz, and chamber categories
Lecturer in Music Pedagogy & Business
University of Maine, Augusta
Augusta, ME
01.1992 - 01.1994
- Delivered introductory and capstone music business classes, redesigned music pedagogy I and II courses, and taught applied flute and saxophone as an instructor
Artist-in-Residence
Capital Region Schools
Augusta, ME
01.1994 - 01.1998
- Developed and instructed woodwind techniques I and II courses, taught improvisation I and II classes, and spearheaded various student arranging projects
Supervisor of Music
Boston University - Chelsea Schools Cooperative
Chelsea, MA
01.1990 - 01.1992
- Devised and executed comprehensive pre-K to 12 curricula, recruited and managed faculty for Chelsea schools and Boston University GTA's, and instructed in beginning/intermediate band and high school choir
Director of Bands, Head of Music Education
Rocky Mountain College
Billings, MT
01.1987 - 01.1990
- Directed Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, Pep Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Jazz Combo
- Expanded the program from twelve students to eighty within three years
- Represented a five-state region in inauguration of George H.W
- Bush
- Taught Applied Winds and Percussion
Education
Ph.D. - Curriculum and Instruction
Kansas State University
01.2015
Doctoral Study - Music Education
Boston University
Doctoral Study - Conducting
University of Colorado
Master of Music - Conducting
University of Louisiana
Master’s Study - Conducting/Saxophone
University of Idaho
Bachelor of Music - Saxophone Performance
California State University, Northridge
Skills
- Vision and Strategic Planning
- Coaching and Management
- Team Building & Leadership
- Change Management
- Instructional Designing/Implementation
- Instructional Leadership
- Course Design & Execution
- Blended & Immersive Learning
- Professional Development
- Learner Engagement & Motivation
Recordings
- In My Own Sweet Time, Christopher White & Pandemusicum, 2010
- Old Friends ~ Together Again, Christopher White & Tom Hoffmann, 2007
- Maine Jazz Composers Orchestra on MPBN, 2006
- Feeling Better and Better, Tom Hoffmann and Friends, 2005
- What 4, Rick Bishop Quartet, 2005
- From The Inside, Rick Bishop Quartet, 1995
Presentations
- The Expressive Performer and the Engaged Listener: Creating connection in an imagined world., Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, 2014-2015
- L'aprentissage de la musique: son apport pour la vie de l'apprenant du XXIe siecle, Quebec, Canada, 2013
- The Expressive Performer and the Engaged Listener: Creating connection in an imagined world., College Music Society International Conference, 2012
- The Expressive Performer and the Engaged Listener: Creating connection in an imagined world., Jazz Education Network International Conference, 2012
- Revisiting George Russell's Lydian Concept., College Music Society National Conference, 2008
- Over 30 presentations at statewide and regional conferences.
Timeline
Assistant Director of Teaching and Learning/Summer School Principal
Kent School District 415
01.2018 - Current
Director of Music/Coordinator of Talented and Gifted
Central Curry School District #1
01.2015 - 01.2018
Director of Instrumental Music
Virginia Governor’s School for the Arts
01.2010 - 01.2014
Director of Jazz Studies/Saxophone and Music Education
Radford University
01.2007 - 01.2015
Instructor of Organizational Leadership
Friends University
01.2006 - 01.2007
Instructor of Music Education, Kansas Synergy Access Grant
Kansas State University
01.2004 - 01.2007
Professor of Instrumental Music, Department Chair
Dodge City Community College
01.2001 - 01.2007
Director of Bands, Grades 5-12 (tenured)
Waterville Public Schools
01.1997 - 01.2001
Artist-in-Residence, Director of Jazz, Marching & Chamber Music
Lawrence Jr/Sr HS
01.1994 - 01.1998
Artist-in-Residence
Capital Region Schools
01.1994 - 01.1998
Lecturer in Music Pedagogy & Business
University of Maine, Augusta
01.1992 - 01.1994
Director of Band Activities
Colby College
01.1990 - 01.1998
Supervisor of Music
Boston University - Chelsea Schools Cooperative
01.1990 - 01.1992
Director of Bands, Head of Music Education
Rocky Mountain College
01.1987 - 01.1990
Ph.D. - Curriculum and Instruction
Kansas State University
Doctoral Study - Music Education
Boston University
Doctoral Study - Conducting
University of Colorado
Master of Music - Conducting
University of Louisiana
Master’s Study - Conducting/Saxophone
University of Idaho
Bachelor of Music - Saxophone Performance
California State University, Northridge
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