Calling Mr. White
Andy Gammill of the Indianapolis Star had a wonderful profile last week of Jeffery C. White, the man given the seemingly impossible task of turning around a troubled urban middle school. For
"Taking Back a School," Gammill and photographer
Danese Kenon followed White as he patrolled the schools hallways, inspiring and disciplining students and pushing his teachers to expect more. The story is full of great moments such as this one at a faculty meeting:
"One thing the kids are saying is there's not enough rigor in some of the classes," White told the teachers diplomatically.
Blank stares and confused looks greeted him, and he could hear the muttering.
White rose from his chair and clambered onto an unsteady wooden library table.
"I took a risk getting up here, and that's the same damn thing I'm asking you to do," he said, his arms across his chest, a defiant look on his face.
Next to the story you can click on photographs and watch videos of White and other people featured in the story talking about their experiences at the school. I also like how the Web package allows readers to ask White questions. www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070218/SPECIAL10/70218001
My thanks go to the Casey Journalism Center on Children and Families for the suggestion.