Johnston County Public Schools Names 2022-2023 Principal Of The Year

By: Robin Koppen
JCPS Communication Specialist

ARCHER LODGE – Melissa Hubbard, Principal of Archer Lodge Middle, has been named Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) 2022-2023 Principal of the Year. 

Hubbard is a fourth generation Clayton High graduate and native of Clayton. As she embarks on her 26th year in education, she always knew she wanted to teach in Johnston County. “When I decided to become an educator, I knew I wanted to come back to the school system I went through, ” Hubbard said. 

She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. As soon as she started her student teaching, she was hooked. “I knew this is what I was made to do,” remarked Hubbard.

Hubbard earned her first master’s degree through a cohort with East Carolina University, and classes were held at Johnston Community College.

Her career started with JCPS in 1997, and she had the privilege of being a team member of several schools throughout her career. It all began when she was a first grade teacher at Corinth-Holders Elementary. From there, Hubbard went to Glendale Kenly, and then on to Selma Elementary.

While at Selma Elementary, she was part of the Dual Language Immersion program, also known as SPLASH. Dual Language Immersion serves students in kindergarten through fifth grade at three JCPS elementary schools: Cooper Academy, Polenta Elementary, and Selma Elementary schools.

Becoming a SPLASH teacher at Selma Elementary, and seeing the impact it had on the children was an incredible experience. That experience was her last as a classroom teacher, and she knew it was the way to go out.

During this time, another key moment for Hubbard was becoming a National Board Certified Teacher. Through that process, she became a reflective teacher, and a teacher who analyzed everything.

“I wanted to do more than teach,” she said. “I wanted to help other teachers be that reflective educator.”

Hubbard knew she was ready to move on to the next level in her career with JCPS. So, back to school she went to earn a second master’s degree in school administration from Campbell University. 

While Hubbard was getting her master’s from Campbell University, she returned to Corinth-Holders Elementary, where she remained for seven years. 

First, she was a curriculum coach. Next, Hubbard did her internship as an assistant principal there. One year later, she was officially named the assistant principal, and one year after that, she was named principal of Corinth-Holders Elementary. 

Six years ago, Hubbard became principal of Archer Lodge Middle. She never thought she would be a part of middle school, but she clearly has made the best of it. “The great days overcome the challenging days,” said Hubbard.

Being named Principal of the Year is another highlight. “It’s not about the recognition but the impact we are making on kids,” she said. That impact was evident during the 2021-22 school year as Archer Lodge Middle landed 12th in the state in academic achievement. 

“For us it shows the hard work our school has done over the last year,” Hubbard commented. She is humble about the accolades and she credits the dedication of the teachers, students, and their families for the incredible success. 

Even though they were 12th in the state out of 2,232 schools in academic growth, Hubbard knows they aren’t done, and can’t stop there.  The school had a theme last which was One Team, because they knew it was going to be a team effort to accomplish. They set goals as a school, and even surpassed those goals.

This year’s theme is Raise The Bar. Hubbard said, “This is where we are, but this is where we are going!” Rise to the Challenge is the school’s hashtag. The reason behind this is because everyone must rise to the challenge to help raise that bar that Archer Lodge Middle has set for themselves this school year. 

Hubbard also said that it’s an honor for her to be recognized in the county where she went to school, her parents went to school, her husband went to school, and even her own children attended JCPS. “It’s a legacy of being great,” she said. “We have some of the best administrators and teachers.”

Education is important to Hubbard because she knows that an educator is the one who taught the doctors and lawyers and mechanics and carpenters. “We are laying the foundation for their careers,” she said.  “If we don’t have that educational base, the children won’t succeed.” 

Hubbard’s vision for Archer Lodge Middle School is to continue to grow, improve, and be the best they can be. “We want to continue to be a school where people want to work, and where parents want to send their children,” she said. 

Once students leave middle school, they have just four years left of school, and Hubbard understands the importance of the middle school experience. She said that although every child won’t go to college, every child needs to go to primary through secondary school.

Hubbard could not name just one hero. “I have so many people in my life that have supported me,” she commented.

Her heroes are the people who walk through the doors of Archer Lodge Middle every day to do a job. Once again, she goes back to the success of the school coming from the team. “It takes every single person doing their part every day to succeed,” she said.