From the Principal

Dr. Melissa White

Dr. Melissa M. White was born and raised here in the City of Mount Vernon. As an alumnus of Holmes Elementary, A.B. Davis Middle School, and Mount Vernon High School, Dr. White wants to make the greatest impact on students coming up right behind her. She considers herself a positive product of her environment and hopes to be a form of representation of what Mount Vernon has to offer.

Prior to being appointed principal, Dr. White has worked in Mount Vernon for 16 years as a teacher and assistant principal. In her first year as principal at Pennington, she was voted 2023-2024 Principal of the Year for the Mount Vernon City School District.

“A great leader is one who fosters leadership in others. In my years of teaching, principals have allowed me to take on leadership opportunities to become the administrator I am today.”

Dr. Melissa M. White has a Master’s Degree in Literacy and a Master’s Degree in School Building Administration both from Mercy College. She has an Advanced Diploma in School District Leadership from Manhattan College. Dr. White obtained a Doctor of Education degree from St. John Fisher College in 2021. She is an alumnus of Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Teachers and is a member of Kappa Delta Pi.

In addition to working as a school administrator, Dr. White’s greatest role is being a mom to two boys who also attend school in the Mount Vernon School district.

The theme for the 2024-2025 school year at Pennington is “Better Together in Academic Success”. Dr. White looks forward to growing a school culture fostered in collaboration with all stakeholders for the improvement of our students.