After spending time reporting and at the anchor desk, Melissa McCrady will leave WTMJ-TV Ch. 4 at the end of the month.

"I moved to Milwaukee seven years ago for this job at Today's TMJ4. I thought I'd stay for my three-year contract, then move on to a bigger TV market. Instead, I fell in love with Milwaukee and a Wisconsin guy, now this is home, but it's time for a career change," McCrady said.

Starting in July, McCrady will be working for the Mequon-Thiensville School District.

"I am so excited about my new opportunity as director of communications for Mequon-Thiensville School District. It's such a well-respected, high performing district that I look forward to joining the MTSD team," she said.

McCrady’s last day at Ch. 4 is June 28.

"Melissa has done an extraordinary job for us the last seven years. She has been tireless, upbeat, and a great asset. We will miss her," Bill Bera, the vice president of news at the Journal Broadcast Group, shared via email.

Like most reporters, her stories appeared in different newscasts, but most of McCrady's work shifts started before the sun rose in Milwaukee.

"I am going to miss the people at TMJ4, especially Vince Vitrano and Susan Kim. We have worked together as a team for 5-plus years on 'Live at Daybreak.' They've taught me so much and are true professionals," McCrady said.

McCrady said that the early mornings started to conflict with the work schedule of her fiancé, who is an attorney with Michael Best & Friedrich.

"I will not miss my 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. wake up calls. I chose to work this morning shift, but it really started to take a toll on me as well as my relationship with my fiance. We're getting married in two months and we want to have more time together," she said.