Meet the Administrators

Principal

It's with excitement and a full heart that I introduce myself, Kelsey White, as your new principal at Ocala STEAM Academy! I am thrilled to connect with our incredible students and families.

My Journey to Ocala

My educational background includes a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Boston University and a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics from the University of California, Santa Barbara. I also hold a Single Subject English Teaching Credential and an Administrative Services Credential.

My career has been dedicated to middle school education and leadership. I have had the privilege of serving as Principal of Dorsa Elementary School and Assistant Principal at Hubbard Media Arts Academy. I also served as a Middle School Teacher, English Department Lead, and School Leader at ACE Charter Schools. I also taught Math and English Language Arts for Oakland Unified School District. Outside the classroom, I have held leadership roles in youth development programs, including the Boys and Girls Club and Aim High.

My Vision for Ocala STEAM Academy

Middle school education has always been my passion. I am eager to bring my experience in curriculum development and fostering a positive school culture to Ocala. While I am still learning about all the unique qualities that make Ocala special, I am confident that together, we will continue to build upon our school's many strengths.

My priority in the coming months is to listen and learn about what makes Ocala truly special and how we can best support our students and families. I'm committed to getting to know many of you personally, and I deeply value your insights. I'm eager to collaborate with all of you to create an exceptional learning environment for our students. I look forward to embarking on this new journey with you, and I'm incredibly excited for the year ahead!

All the best,

Kelsey White

Principal

Ocala STEAM Academy

2800 Ocala Avenue

San Jose, CA 95148

Office: (408) 928-8350

kelsey.white@arusd.org

 

Assistant Principal

Hi, I’m Mr. Stickles and I’m excited to be back for my second year as Assistant Principal at Ocala. I’m grateful to work with such amazing students, dedicated staff, and our supportive community.

I earned my BA in History and Social Studies Education from SUNY Cortland and my MA in Educational Administration from San Jose State. I’ve taught middle school reading in NY, high school history at Gunderson, and served as an Assistant Principal at Pioneer High School.

Middle school is such a powerful time in a student’s life, and I love helping kids grow into confident, kind, and capable people. Over the past year, I’ve built strong connections with students and families, and I look forward to another great year supporting everyone at Ocala.

Outside of school, I love spending time with my family, traveling, and playing pool. My favorite players are Oscar Dominguez and the legendary Efren Reyes.

It’s an honor to serve the Ocala community, and I’m looking forward to a fantastic school year ahead!

Mr. Stickles, Vice Principal