MADISON – Leanne Mackey realizes that you never know the situations that someone is going through or what kind of day they have had. Her steadfast rule is to make a positive impact on someone every day.

Mackey is the “2023 Staff Member of the Year” as School Secretary at Discovery Middle School.

Previously, Mackey worked as Co-Director for a Universal Pre-Kindergarten program in the Hudson Valley, New York. “It was quite a jump to go from nursery and preschool age kids to middle school. I loved working with the tiny kids, watching them grow. Helping parents to feel comfortable taking that first step into sending their kids to school was so rewarding,” Mackey said.

She started working in Discovery’s office in summer 2018. In June, Mackey will move to Midtown Elementary School to work as Secretary/Bookkeeper. “I loved my time at Discovery. Teachers and staff have made Alabama feel like home. I’m eternally grateful for how welcoming they have been to me,” Mackey said.

“I try to treat students and parents the way I would want someone to interact with my children. So many students are so nervous when they visit the front office or must talk to an adult in the hallway. I want to make sure that student feels comfortable and isn’t too shy to ask for help,” Mackey said.

“You never know if you were their one moment in the day that made them smile,” Mackey said.

Recently, a parent was picking up their eighth-grader and thanked Mackey for her helpfulness when his daughter enrolled. The parent remembered that Mackey made him feel comfortable with the school. “That’s what makes me feel the most success at work,” she said.

Originally from La Plata, Md., Mackey earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at the University of Maryland, Baltimore College. One year after college, she married Edward Mackey, who was stationed in the Hudson Valley. They lived 16 years in New York.

Edward served as a Navigator in the U.S. Marine Corps; after 21 years, he retired in 2017. He now works as a contractor on Redstone Arsenal.

Their sons are Robert, a 2023 graduate of James Clemens High School and headed to the University of Alabama in Huntsville; Sam, a prospective junior; and Tom, a prospective freshman.

“I enjoy baking and reading. As completely cliche as it sounds, I really enjoy spending time with my family. There’s nothing better than hanging around by the pool in the summer with everyone,” Leanne said.