EBA Names Principal Finalists; Community Forum Set for Tuesday, April 28

Over the course of the last 27 years now, I have worked as a special education and humanities, math and psychology teacher, behavioral specialist, advisor, educational consultant, and school administrator, among many other roles. I also hold a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership from the University of Maine, where I am presently a doctoral candidate (ABD) in the EdD. Educational Leadership program completing my authoethnographic research. I am amazed how the confluence of our life journeys paves the way for our individual stories. As these stories unfold, we experience the evolution of perspective, an expansion of awareness, and an interconnectedness of all things. 

Over the many years of education, the evolution of my belief system has shifted onto a much more holistic path. I see the entirety of our life journey as our education – education is by its nature a fundamental aspect of our life journey. I strive to always do my best to meet every individual where they are in the moment. Through this, I can best facilitate the most positive outcomes towards making each journey – each experience – meaningful. As Head of School/Superintendent of an alternative pathways high school in Maine, I facilitated reimagination efforts centered around choice and agency. I came to recognize that while change does not always adhere to a fixed timeframe, it is a necessary component for growth. The desire begins with a community committed to fostering excellence, not only academic excellence, but social/emotional, personal and professional too. I believe the way we hold space for one another, the way we cultivate community, directly influences our capacities for change centered around empathy, autonomy, and love. 

I would wholeheartedly welcome the opportunity to return to BSD as principal of Eagle Bay Academy, as this greatly aligns with my professional pursuits and passions, particularly around alternative and choice-based educational pathways.

My name is Dr. Lara D. White, and I am deeply moved to be a candidate for the leadership of Eagle Bay Academy. My desire to return to my roots in Vermont is driven by a profound appreciation for the foundations of care, community, and connection that first shaped me as a young learner. For me, the opportunity to lead at Eagle Bay feels like coming home—not just to a landscape I love, but to an educational philosophy that mirrors my own deepest convictions.

That journey began at age seven in Athens, Vermont, where I attended one of the state’s last one-room schoolhouses. There that I witnessed the power of a small, learner-centered environment. My teachers, Sue and Ginny, were committed to all 32 of their K–6 students. They modeled “whole child” instruction and pushed boundaries, proving that even in a rural school, a child’s world could be vast if they were seen and valued.

That experience is why I am so drawn to the mission of Eagle Bay Academy. I believe that authentic, student-led experiences are the key to reaching students who find conventional schooling unfulfilling. I took a non-traditional route to my career, which has given me a unique perspective and insight as an educator.

Starting my college education at 24 while working full-time instilled in me motivation and resilience that I bring to my students and peers every day. Upon graduating from Columbia University in 2001, I returned to Vermont, obtained my Master of Education at the University of Vermont and began my teaching career. My lived experience of being considered an outsider, overcoming barriers, and witnessing the transformational power of education, is what informs me as an educational leader.

I also bring 15 years of diverse classroom expertise to this role, having served students across rural, suburban, and urban landscapes. My teaching journey began as an English Language Arts teacher at Sheldon Elementary School in Vermont. Following my move to Connecticut, I served as a Middle School Social Studies and Literacy Instructor at the Public Safety Magnet Academy and as a Team Leader and Language Arts teacher at Thirman Milner Elementary. In these environments, I specialized in implementing student-centered curriculum, specifically designed to empower diverse student populations, including those navigating poverty, Multilingual Learners, and students with specialized learning needs.

During my six years at West Hartford Public Schools, I provided instruction across a broad spectrum of Social Sciences for grades 9–12, including US History, Modern World History, Anthropology, and US Government. My tenure there was defined by a commitment to equity and academic rigor; I was nominated for Teacher of the Year and managed four sections of AP Psychology. Throughout this work, my primary focus remained on increasing enrollment and success for marginalized students, particularly those with IEPs and 504 plans, by fostering a culture of profound care, unwavering support, and a fundamental belief in their limitless potential.

Over the last five years, I have served in leadership roles designed to uplift and amplify the voices of all students. As an Assistant Principal, I championed Culturally Responsive Pedagogy and Restorative Practices to build inclusive environments. As the Director of Equity and Inclusion for Waterbury Public Schools, I created strategic equity plans and provided training for school-based leadership teams to ensure systemic support for all learners. What has always motivated and guided my work is the lived experiences and needs of my students. 

Eagle Bay’s focus on experiential, project-based learning is a perfect match for my leadership style. I am eager to bring this passion to Eagle Bay, supporting a program that honors student agency and provides the authentic experiences our learners deserve. Together, we can ensure that every extraordinary student at Eagle Bay Academy finds the connection and support they need to excel.