About me
Dr. Rachel S. White is the Director of the Aerospace Academy of the Eastern Shore (AAES), Virginia's innovative College Partnership Lab School led by Old Dominion University. She works at the intersection of K–12 education, higher education, industry, and government to design authentic STEM learning experiences that prepare students for high-demand aerospace and engineering careers.Dr. White's work focuses on instructional innovation, workforce pathway development, experiential STEM education, and cross-sector partnerships. She collaborates with school divisions, community colleges, universities, NASA, and industry partners to develop scalable educational models that connect classroom learning with real-world applications. Her research explores innovative learning environments, educator professional learning, and the design and implementation of STEM-focused lab schools.Prior to leading AAES, Dr. White served in leadership roles with the Virginia Space Grant Consortium and Virginia Beach City Public Schools, where she advanced STEM education initiatives and educator professional learning. She is passionate about creating equitable opportunities that inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.
