Ms. Nicole Melendez

Ms. Nicole Melendez is proud to serve as the Principal at Barkley Elementary. Before joining the DoDEA in 2011, she worked in public education in Pennsylvania and North Carolina. After earning a Bachelor's degree in Education with a specialization in Early Childhood/Urban Education from Millersville University in 1997, she faced a challenging job market due to hiring freezes. This led her to spend nearly a decade in the human services field, where she earned a Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling from Alvernia University. Notably, she served as Program Director at Gaudenzia Inc., where she developed leadership skills and built a collaborative culture focused on supporting individuals and families facing challenges like addiction and mental illness.

In 2006, after relocating to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Ms. Melendez pursued her passion for education. She began as an Adult Basic Education Instructor at Fayetteville Technical Community College and soon secured a fourth-grade teaching position through a Cumberland County School District job fair. She quickly became a leader in her school, holding roles such as Grade Level Chairperson, Continuous School Improvement Chairperson, and Teacher Mentor.

In 2007, after her first year of teaching, Ms. Melendez was named Teacher of the Year and was later featured on the front page of The Fayetteville Observer for her ability to excel as an educator while supporting her active-duty spouse through multiple wartime deployments. She continued her education, earning a Master’s in Educational Leadership in 2013 and an Ed.S. from Liberty University in 2024.

With decades of experience in education, Ms. Melendez has served in multiple roles, including Assistant Principal, Prekindergarten and Kindergarten teacher, 4th and 5th grade teacher, Instructional Support Teacher, Teacher Mentor, and Student Club Leader. As the Continuous School Improvement Chair, she led professional development and spearheaded initiatives that significantly boosted accreditation scores at Shughart Elementary School. Additionally, she presented on effective progress monitoring practices at the Summer Leadership Conference.

Ms. Melendez is a dedicated school leader who prioritizes creating a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. She is committed to fostering positive relationships with school stakeholders, engaging teachers and students in the learning process, promoting foundational skills, integrating technology, and building strong connections between home and school. Her approach is always student-centered and data-driven.

Ms. Nicole Melendez would like to thank the Barkley Community in advance for what she is sure will be a great partnership in the years to come.