Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) is proud to announce that Larkeysha M. Sheppard, principal of McGee's Crossroads Middle School, was recognized as a recipient of the 2025 Administrator to Watch award by the North Carolina Association for Middle-Level Education (NCMLE) at the annual NCMLE Conference on March 24, 2025.
The Administrator to Watch award, given by the North Carolina Association for Middle-Level Education (NCMLE), recognizes a school-based administrator who demonstrates outstanding dedication to middle school concepts and positively impacts students and the school community.
The award aims to highlight and celebrate the work of school-based administrators who are passionate about middle school education and actively involved in improving students' learning experiences.
"I am honored to receive the Administrator to Watch award from the NC Middle Level Education Association,” stated Sheppard. “I am fortunate to serve this community and am committed to creating a school environment where every student believes in their ability to achieve and is seen, supported, and inspired to grow.”
McGee’s Crossroads Middle is one of many JCPS schools recognized for its remarkable academic achievement scores in the recent past. The school exceeded academic growth during the 2023-2024 school year, marking the third consecutive year for the recognition. In addition, the school ranked in the top 3% for academic growth among NC middle schools, placing 79th out of 2,593 schools!
“I am fortunate to serve this community and am committed to creating a school environment where every student believes in their ability to achieve and is seen, supported, and inspired to grow.”
Principal Larkeysha Sheppard
Equally impressive, the school’s letter grade improved from 58 to 65, a 7-point increase, and its overall performance composite improved from 52.7 to 58.1, an increase of 5.4 points.
Sheppard is a servant leader who is always eager to recognize her staff for their meaningful contributions to the school’s success. “I share this award with my entire school community, and I’m grateful for and blessed with the opportunity to lead, learn, and serve alongside them,” Sheppard humbly noted. “This recognition is a reflection of the incredible work happening every day at our school because of our dedicated and hardworking teachers and support staff, supportive families, and, most importantly, our amazing Mustangs.”
McGee’s Crossroads Middle has contributed significantly to the improved performance scores achieved by the school district. “The success we have seen at McGee’s Middle speaks directly to the brilliance of our students, the passion of our teachers and staff, and the amazing leadership of Mrs. Sheppard,” stated Dr. Eric C. Bracy, JCPS Superintendent. “Her leadership style and her approach to ensuring that student achievement and staff development remains at the forefront is instrumental in the success, and I look forward to seeing the continued growth of the school community.”
NCMLE strives to help create and support high-performing schools with middle grades that are academically excellent, developmentally responsive, socially equitable, and organizationally structured. The organization assists middle schools throughout the state in becoming schools of excellence, including McGee’s Crossroads Middle. “I’d like to send a special thanks to NCMLE, for this meaningful recognition and for your continued advocacy for middle school students across our state,“ added Sheppard.
Congratulations to Mrs. Sheppard on this prestigious recognition!