About Us

Since adopting our Environmental Connections magnet theme in 2017, we have engaged students in meaningful learning experiences that connect classroom learning to the world around them. Through hands on, inquiry-based learning, we help students explore the relationships between people, places, and the environment while developing the knowledge and skills needed to make a positive impact in their communities. Click on this video to learn more about our school and magnet theme.

Our Vision:

MECME will cultivate and empower environmentally-minded citizens who will enact meaningful change in the world.

Our Beliefs:

At Millbrook Environmental Connections Magnet, we believe learning is: Active, challenging, meaningful, public, and collaborative

Our Administration:

James Aldridge, Principal 

I am excited to be part of the Millbrook Environmental Connections Elementary School community, where I have served since the summer of 2020.  I grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina, and am a proud Tar Heel. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2004, I began my career teaching middle school in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. In 2008, I joined Wake County Public Schools, where I taught English and coached lacrosse at Panther Creek High School. Before coming to Millbrook, I spent five years serving as an assistant principal at Carroll Magnet Middle School.  Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my wife and two children, running, and cheering on the Tar Heels. I feel fortunate to work alongside our incredible students, staff, and families each day and am proud to be part of the Millbrook community.

La'Na Holden, Assistant Principal

I am proud to be a part of the MECME community, which I joined in May 2024. From the moment I arrived, I could see the deep commitment our staff, students, and families have to creating meaningful learning experiences for children, and I am excited to be part of such a caring and dedicated school community.  As a proud graduate of Wake County Public Schools, I am passionate about serving the district that helped shape my own educational journey. I attended North Carolina Central University, where I studied Sociology and Special Education, and began my career in WCPSS as a special education and reading intervention teacher. While teaching full time, I earned a Master of Education in Special Education from Meredith College. I have also had the opportunity to support schools across the district as both a Literacy Coordinating Teacher and a Special Education Coordinating Teacher. Most recently, I earned my Master of School Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my son, Giannis, family, and friends. You can often find me reading, attending music festivals, trying new restaurants, or experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. I feel fortunate to be part of the MECME family and look forward to partnering with our students and families as we learn and grow together.

Jorge Pacheco, Assistant Principal

I grew up in Graham, NC and have lived in Raleigh since 2011. I began teaching in 2016 after graduating from NC State University (Go Pack!) with a degree in Technology, Design, & Engineering Education. I taught at Fuquay-Varina high school for 6 years, teaching courses such as Video Game Art Design and Digital Animation. I then decided to pursue my Masters in School Administration from NC Central University as a part of the Principal Fellow Program. I am extremely excited to be a part of the MECME community and to get to know each and every one of our students and families!  I enjoy watching my teams (NC State and The Arsenal), playing sports, exploring new places, and trying different foods. I have a dog named Ritchie who is wild, but I love spending time with him.

District Mission:

Wake County Public School System will provide a relevant and engaging education and will graduate students who are collaborative, creative, effective communicators and critical thinkers.