Cleveland Elementary Principal Cynthia White Returns to Her Teaching Roots

She takes the helm on the campus where she taught kindergarten in the 1980s, and is already making her mark on campus

Principal Cynthia White has returned to her teaching roots at Cleveland Elementary School, where she is embracing the
Principal Cynthia White has returned to her teaching roots at Cleveland Elementary School, where she is embracing the “Character Counts” philosophy. (Giana Magnoli / Noozhawk photo)

By Giana Magnoli, Noozhawk Staff Writer | @magnoli | Published on 09.24.2012

  • E-mail
  • Print this page Print
  • Comments (1)
    • Share

From her office at Cleveland Elementary School, Cynthia White can see the kindergarten classroom where she started teaching in the early 1980s.

She returned this fall as principal, after serving for several years as the Santa Barbara Unified School District’s director of curriculum and categorical programs.

“The most exciting thing to me is this school does need some TLC,” White said.

Just a few weeks into the school year, White is working to make her mark on the campus.

Cleveland is the lowest-performing, non-charter school in Santa Barbara County, and White is dedicated to the Character Counts philosophy.

Everything — from lessons to discipline — encourages students to consider the six pillars of character: trustworthy, respect, responsible, fair, caring and citizenship.

When kids take education more seriously, there’s a much better outcome, she said.

The entire district uses this framework, but each school implements it at different levels. 

In addition to Character Counts, White is working on creating a common approach between teachers. She eventually wants teachers to plan and teach together. 

“Lasting change happens with taking it a piece at a time and doing it well,” she said.

When White was a teacher at Cleveland, the campus had no portable classrooms and far fewer trees lining the fences. During yard duty, she could see for miles in every direction, she said.

The campus was built in 1959, and will get some much-needed sprucing up from some bond measure funding and from the community’s help in an Oct. 6 cleanup day, in partnership with Santa Barbara City College, Montecito churches and parent groups.

The school and its very active PTA get involved in the community with safety projects, too.

White spoke at a recent Santa Barbara City Council meeting to remind city leaders that hundreds of her elementary school students walk along busy Eastside corridors to get to class each day.

— Noozhawk staff writer Giana Magnoli can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.

Comments

Noozhawk's comments are moderated, but by posting here you accept your responsibility to follow our rules as part of Noozhawk's shared online community. Please keep your comments civil and helpful. Don't attack other readers personally, and do not use vulgar, abusive or discriminatory language. Use the "Report Abuse" link if a comment violates these standards or our Terms of Use

You must be a registered user to comment. Create a user account

Log in




Auto-login on future visits

Forgot your password?

» sb native on 09.25.12 @ 08:48 AM

“Lowest performing non-charter school in the district?”

That is a depressing statement…what charter school is below Cleveland?  Inquiring minds want to know.

You don't have permission to flag this entry.

More Local News »

SBCC Named First Citrix IT Academy in Southern California

Ernest Righetti High School Welding Team Wins State Championship

School District to Contribute $625,000 to Dos Pueblos Stadium Project

SBCC Students Receive Scholarships from Rotary Club of Montecito Foundation

El Montecito Fifth-Graders See History Up Close with Visit to D.C.

Weather: Fair 62.0º


© Malamute Ventures LLC 2007-2013 | ISSN No. 1947-6086

Web Design & Development by PixelFive