Melissa James is a native of Austin, Texas. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education from East Texas State University (now Texas A&M at Commerce). After graduating with a Master’s in Educational Administration from the University of North Texas, she has served within Dallas Independent School District since 1998.
Over the years, her passion for her students always transcended beyond the classroom. She has taken on various roles such as teacher, teacher of residency, Extended Day Site Director, Math Professional Learning Community chairperson, and Campus Instructional Coach. She was even awarded Campus Teacher of the Year! She has been serving as an Assistant Principal since 2018.
The district videoed Ms. James's Professional Learning Community (PLC) meetings to serve as a model for the district’s principals to show how a PLC should operate. She has provided staff development training and spoken to the PTA about early childhood issues. She has led school-wide initiatives to improve instructional delivery for African American Students, as well as initiated a Campus Mentoring Program due to her overwhelming concern for students. Ms. James was also on the cover of Dallas ISD Newsline Newspaper with her class as she assisted Nathan Adams Elementary in receiving the National Excellence in Urban Education Award!
Ms. James has a passion for developing positive relationships with everyone within the school community, working with students and watching them grow, supporting teachers and staff so that they can reach their greatest potential, and strengthening a connection between school and home.
in her off hours, Ms. James enjoys bowling, cabin life, and traveling. She has one adult daughter, a very special niece, and a wonderful lap dog named Rocky whom she loves to sit with while reading a good book!
Welcome to Lakewood, Ms. James! We can’t wait to get to know you!
