The People Project:
Melissa Martin Stilley
By Ashley & Andrew LeSaicherre | September 16, 2023
Meet Melissa Martin Stilley!
Melissa grew up in Pumpkin Center with four siblings. She graduated from Ponchatoula High School, got married and had two children, Charlie and Misty.
She graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1987 with her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. She then earned her Master’s in School Administration in 1999, her Plus 30 in Special Education in 2000, and in 2018 completed coursework toward a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.
Melissa is the first woman ever appointed as school superintendent in Tangipahoa Parish.
She serves on the Tangipahoa Chamber of Commerce Board, the Tangipahoa Economic Development Foundation Board of Directors, the Louisiana Superintendents Academy Board of Directors and the Louisiana Superintendent's Advisory Board.
She and her husband, Lloyd, celebrated their 30 year anniversary recently. They met through friends in Hammond.
She has 6 grandchildren, and is the honorary grandmother to about 3-4 other children. They vary in age from high school to pre-K, and they all attend public schools in Tangipahoa Parish. She also has 2 "grandpups".
We want to thank Melissa for spending some time with us and letting us get to know about her life and her love of the area.
Q: What led you to your current career?
A: God, I was going to be a hairdresser or secretary.
I wanted to help provide for my family, so I decided to become a teacher. After I graduated and started teaching, a few of my principals advised me to get my Master’s to be an administrator. I thought they were crazy, as I love kids and I love teaching. But I decided to earn my Master’s, and I served as assistant principal, principal, supervisor of curriculum and instruction and Chief Academic Officer. I was offered the role of Network Leader in the district support division of the Louisiana Department of Education. I assisted Superintendents in many districts with a team to better help them from the state office. When the superintendent from Tangipohoa announced his retirement, I applied. Through all the traveling and assisting other districts, my heart was always with the children of this parish. The board decided to hire an external company to fill the position (the first time they have ever done this). It was a nation-wide search, and after a vigorous interview process, I was appointed to the position. I am the first female Superintendent of Tangipahoa parish, something I do not take lightly. In the six years I have been in this role, we have had great advancements for the school system. The 58-year desegregation case will have its final hearing in 8 months. The half-penny sales tax was approved, which makes Tangipahoa’s salaries competitive to our neighboring parishes. About 75% of our school scores improved. Our team created a certification program that trains classroom teachers. It is a free, state certified program for people who have obtained a bachelor degree and wish to teach in Tangipahoa schools. We also have started a certification for paraprofessionals to become certified teachers.
In all that I do, I think, “What makes the most sense for the children?”. I am the voice for the voiceless.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in the area, and what do you like to get there?
A: The Boston Restaurant, Steak Tips or Ed Hoover
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: Family Trips, making coffee on the side of the road, everyone riding in the car together.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: Israel, to actually see the places from the Bible.
Q: What is your favorite movie? What is the first concert you remember going to?
A: 80 For Brady. Garth Brooks was my first concert.
Q: Do you have a favorite book?
A: John Maxwell Leadership Principles: Becoming a Servant Leader - based on Jesus as the perfect leader - and servant leadership.
Q: What advice would you give a group of people?
A: Dream BIG, Work Hard, Love People. Never give up.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: To spend some time in the northwest - Montana, Wyoming. I would also love to go to Hawaii.
Q: What is your favorite music or an artist/band that you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: I would like to see Lainey Wilson, a Louisiana native.
Q: What current or former business makes you the most nostalgic about the area?
A: JCPenny in downtown Hammond in the 60s.
Q: If you could choose one person to go to lunch with that you’ve never met, who is it and where would you go?
A: Jimmy Buffett, Key West
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique that you love about the area?
A: It is very diverse. We have lots of different people and communities.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: Continuing to be an advocate for Public Education on a regional or statewide level and mentoring/supporting new superintendents.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you (even friends or family)?
A: I love Bluegrass Music.
Q: What is a word or phrase that comes to mind when you think of the word “Home”?
A: My happy place - A safe place for gathering.
Q: If you could have a full-time staff member that is fully paid for, what would that be? (Chef, housekeeper, driver, coach, personal trainer, etc.)
A: Definitely a personal assistant.
Q: If you had to choose one type of cuisine to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A: Italian food.
Q: What do you do when you are alone in your car?
A: Singing or returning phone calls.
Q: What is the last gift you gave and received?
A: The last gift I gave was a gift for my niece’s baby. The last gift I received was from a friend that gave me a cross necklace from Israel that they got on a trip they took. I wear it all the time.
Q: What are you known for?
A: Being the first female superintendent in Tangipahoa and being Maw Maw Lisa.
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
A: I would be able to cure cancer. We have lost family members and other loved ones from it.
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: Watching grandkids play sports and traveling.
Q: What is your most commonly used emoji?
A: The red heart.
Q: What are you the most proud of?
A: I am proud of my children and grandchildren.
Q: What two items would you take with you if you shipwrecked on a deserted island where food and water were taken care of?
A: My Bible and my journal.
Q: If you won the lottery, what would you purchase or spend money on?
A: A private jet with pilot and money for traveling. I would take my family and friends to interesting places all over the US and the world.
Q: What do you want your legacy to be?
A: To be a voice for the voiceless. To provide equitable education opportunities for children so they can grow up and live the American Dream.
Who would YOU like for us to get to know?
We love meeting, knowing, and working with our community, and we love working with homes and all types of properties. Helping our community achieve their goals through buying and selling property is something we consider ourselves very fortunate to get to do. Contact one of our REALTORS® if we can help!
