On this episode of The Ty Brady Way, Ty sits down with Dr. Melva Lee, a former Republican candidate for Georgia Superintendent of Schools and Governor Kemp-appointed board member to the Department of Community Health. Dr. Lee is the founder and CEO of a Medical Interpreting Trade School, and her story is one of service, faith, and stepping forward when called, even when the outcome feels uncertain.
Dr. Lee brings over 30 years of healthcare experience to the conversation. Ty and Dr. Lee dig into her path from being told by her dad in fifth grade that she'd be a doctor (because of her terrible handwriting) to earning three degrees in healthcare administration. She shares how she spotted a gap in qualified medical interpreters at Grady Health System and built a solution from scratch, training bilingual individuals to become certified professionals. That experience opened her eyes to the power of vocational education and workforce readiness, which became the foundation of her campaign platform.
The conversation gets real about Georgia's education crisis. Dr. Lee breaks down the numbers: Georgia dropped to 38th out of 50 states, 70% of fourth graders can't read proficiently, and 76% of eighth graders are failing math. All of this happened under the current superintendent's 11-year tenure. She explains why literacy is the foundation of everything, how Mississippi went from dead last to top 10 by going back to phonics and the basics, and why every high school student should graduate with a trade certification.
Ty opens up about his own experience with dyslexia, how he learned to sight read, and why his daughter's auto body classes at a vocational school give him hope for the future. They talk about the reality of running against an incumbent with 11 years of name recognition, the cost of campaigns, and why term limits matter at every level of government. Dr. Lee shares her belief that when you see a problem, you should be part of the solution, not just complain about it.
You'll hear about the sobering fact that prisons are built based on third-grade literacy rates, why workforce-ready graduates matter more than ever, and how Dr. Lee planned to expand school choice and bring back the fundamentals that actually work. She also talks about her previous run for state senate, how every race is a learning experience, and why she's committed to fighting for Georgia's kids instead of just coasting on a title.
Dr. Lee's work focuses on bridging communication in healthcare and empowering others to lead with purpose. Her professional story is rooted in service, faith, and the conviction to step forward when called. She's built organizations from the ground up and advocates for solutions that put people first, guided by faith, family, and values.
If you want to learn more about Dr. Lee's work, visit her website at drnelvalee.com to check out her books and learn about her mission. This episode is a reminder that leadership matters, experience counts, and sometimes the best candidates are the ones who've actually solved problems in the real world.
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