Melanie Lee has been named Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) 2025 Employee of the Year for Administrative and Auxiliary Services.
As Administrative Assistant of the Administrative and Auxiliary Services Department, Lee’s service directly impacts multiple departments. She also acts as a liaison for the entire district, speaking with parents daily and providing guidance on district-related matters.
A Smithfield native, Lee attended South Smithfield Primary and was one of the students to attend the first public school kindergarten in North Carolina. She graduated from Smithfield-Selma High and earned an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies from Johnston Community College. From there, Lee put her skills into action, working at two law firms before continuing to the brokerage firm, J.C. Bradford & Co., as a sales assistant. Her role at the firm was to place the brokers’ clients’ orders into the New York Stock Exchange.
Her pathway into education was unique. When Lee’s son, Whitley, was three years old, she became a single mom. She needed a job that would allow her to have a schedule that coincided with Whitley’s schedule. So, she decided to try getting a job with the school district even though she had no prior experience in education. Lee got a position as a teacher assistant in the Exceptional Children’s (EC) classroom at Four Oaks Elementary. “I loved it!” she said. Unknowingly to her, that was the beginning of a lifelong career with JCPS. What began as a job has turned into a passion and love of teaching children.
When her son was close to kindergarten age, Lee secured a position at South Smithfield Elementary, where he would attend school. She was a teacher's assistant at the school for 12 years. Additionally, Lee assisted in the library, allowing her to continue interacting with all students, which was the most fulfilling part of her job.
In 2013, Lee returned to Four Oaks Elementary as a teacher assistant in the EC classroom, once again. She spent the first part of the day there, and for the latter part of the school day, she assisted in the fifth-grade STEM classroom. She was then offered a position in the school’s front office because of her paralegal background, and she remained in that position for three years. Her job was not only in the office, but all over the school. “I was everywhere,” she said.
Lee’s willingness to do anything without being asked is part of her grit and determination, which she witnessed firsthand from her family of farmers. She recalled seeing her grandfather working hard out in the fields, but it was her grandmother who inspired her. Lee watched as her grandmother took care of everything inside the home - the cooking, the cleaning, and the washing.
Her journey took her to South Johnston High, where she was the receptionist for less than two months before being offered the position of full-time bookkeeper. She spent seven years as the bookkeeper before moving into her current position two and a half years ago. Up until that time, Lee had worked in nearly every classified position within the school district. “There is not a position that I did not enjoy,” she said.
When Lee found out she was named Employee of the Year, it came as a big surprise. “At the end of the day, when these parents don’t know which department to call, and they need guidance, I’m that person. I’m helping those parents. Everyone knows, if you don’t know who to call, call Melanie,” she remarked. What keeps her motivated in the challenging times is the cards, messages, and phone calls from parents thanking her for her assistance.
In addition to being awarded Administrative and Auxiliary Services 2025 Employee of the Year, Lee has also received additional accolades, including Teacher Assistant of the Year and Bus Driver of the Year at South Smithfield Elementary, during her 16-year tenure as a bus driver.
During her career with JCPS, Lee’s greatest satisfaction is when any child she has made a connection with has gone on to become successful. One of those is South Johnston High Assistant Principal Brody Massengill. Another student Lee is proud of is Austin Denning, now a first-year teacher at South Johnston High. “Austin wanted to be a teacher early on, and now he is doing just that,” Lee said proudly. ”I’ve seen so many children come through the school system, and I’m proud of all of them,” Lee remarked.
“It’s (JCPS) a family,” she said. “It’s been hard to leave every school, but I’ve made lifelong friends.” Lee is a testament that there is no limit to what anyone can do within Johnston County Public Schools, and she is more motivated than ever. “It reassured me that I’m doing the right thing,” Lee said.