Melanee Friday

Greetings LOES Families!

I am Melanee Duncan Friday. I am honored and humbled to have been selected to serve as the Principal and Lead Learner of Lawrence Orr Elementary School. I have served in public education for the last 25 years. I believe all children can learn at high levels, and that I have a duty to actualize that premise to enable each student to reach their full potential.

I am excited for the opportunity to work with you all to ensure the best outcomes for our scholars. Lawrence Orr Elementary is and will continue to be the PRIDE of Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Staff and scholars will be Principled, Reflective, Inquisitive, Determined and Engaged while learning.

I will spend time getting to know your children’s personalities, learning styles and interests. I will celebrate their successes, small and large. I will encourage them every day and let them know they are valued and have a special place in our school community. I am also eager to meet the LOES families to begin our partnership to continue to support the growth and development of each scholar in an inclusive environment that allows scholars to be their authentic selves.

I am a native Charlottean and also a product of an excellent education in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. I am a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies. I completed graduate studies in Organizational Change and Leadership at Pfeiffer University. Finally, I obtained the Administration and Supervision license at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. I have spent most of my educational career in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools where I taught Career and Technical Education courses at South Mecklenburg High School. I worked in the Student Placement office and served as an Assistant Principal at West Mecklenburg High School and Governors’ Village STEM Academy, providing me experience in each developmental stage from Pre-Kindergarten to 12th grade. I was the Principal at Cyrus P Frazier Elementary School in Greensboro prior to joining the LOES family.

I wholeheartedly believe that great schools are the result of great teachers and my primary goal is to continue to support the team at LOES to provide a safe, academically challenging and culturally rich school community and to provide them with the tools necessary to continue to be successful and help your children prosper. I look forward to meeting you and working alongside of you.

Yours in Service,

Melanee Duncan Friday