HEAD OF SCHOOL

Mr. Carter is one of the founding parents of The Harvest Academy and currently serves as the Head of School. He has a BS in Horticulture Science from North Carolina State University and a Masters in School Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to leading The Harvest Academy, Mr. Carter served as a middle and high school science teacher, middle school principal intern, and elementary assistant principal. He believes wholeheartedly that God’s plan for children in school is to grow and flourish academically, while experiencing His joy through friendship and His Spirit through fellowship.

He is married to Becca and they have three boys; Barron, Simon, and Banks.

“Be joyful always; pray continuously; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

CURRICULUM COORDINATOR

Melissa is one of the founding parents of Harvest Academy. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in social work and political science from Gordon College and holds a Masters of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Melissa has worked with various nonprofits that serve children and families throughout the Triad, and has taught elementary school in Honduras. She is passionate about the University Model and is grateful for how God has used this model of education to provide for her family. Melissa looks forward to being a part of the many ways parents and teachers can work together to nurture & support students who love the Lord and become life-long learners.

Melissa and her husband, Roger, have two children and enjoy being outdoors, traveling, growing at church, and connecting in community.

Kindergarten Teacher

Mrs. Shelley was born and raised in Greensboro, NC and went on to study in the School of Business at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Since becoming a mom four decades ago, she has had a passion for teaching children. In addition to homeschooling her four children for 25 years, she spent 17 years teaching US Geography and Ancient History at the EMMA Resource Classes for homeschoolers, while also serving as Head Administrator there for 14 of those years. She has been a Bible Study Fellowship Children's Leader for the past 10 years and is the Sunday School Coordinator for the 2-year-old through 2nd-grade classes at her local church. She believes that a Biblical worldview is foundational for a holistic academic experience that honors God and His design for the world.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, including her eight precious grandchildren. She is a pickleball enthusiast and enjoys long walks in the park. She is passionate about music, reading, hospitality, and serving at her local church, where her husband, Mark, has been in full-time ministry for 30 years.

1st & 2nd Grade Teacher

Ms. Ledbetter joined our team in our inaugural year, 2023. She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of North Carolina Greensboro, with a concentration in Language and Communication. She previously taught 1st grade at The Covenant School, has a deep love for classical education, and has a strong desire to foster a love of learning in her students.

She grew up in McLeansville, North Carolina where she cultivated a love for the Lord and His creation. In her spare time, you may find her bass fishing, exploring the outdoors, gardening, baking, or cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs in football. Kace has a deep love of global missions and has a special place in her heart for Angola.

3rd & 4th Grade Teacher

Mrs. Williard is joining our team in 2023. She is a 25-year homeschooling veteran, educating her five children K-12, along with coordinating and teaching many children through cooperative classes. She attended the University of North Carolina - Greensboro, majoring in Intermediate Education (4-9) with a concentration in English. Mrs. Williard loves to make education come alive, and to help students know that God has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Jesus.

She and her husband, Jeff, have joyfully served in children’s ministry for over 40 years. She also has a heart for young moms and desires to mentor them in the practical and biblical teachings of marriage, homemaking, and motherhood. She is Memaw to eight precious grandchildren, who keep her young at heart.

Art Teacher

Alex Valencsin is one of the founding parents of the Harvest Academy. She has worked as an artist for the past 9 years and specializes in acrylic and mixed-media paintings. She is currently a Teaching Leader for Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) and pursuing a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from Regent University.

Alex believes that God reveals Himself through creation and the process of creating. She wants to help her students worship God and know Him better by cultivating and using their individual artistic gifts. She is convinced that every student is an artist, for they are all made in the image of God.

Alex is married to Steven Valencsin and a full-time Mom to AnnaGrace and Rayne. She loves God’s Word and is passionate about the next generation knowing and following Jesus to the ends of the earth.

Ephesians 2:10 AMP For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].

Music And Spanish Teacher

Ms. Blackwell obtained her Bachelor of Music in Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She has taught music as well as Spanish across all grade levels, but her most recent experience is in elementary music. A pianist and vocalist from a very early age, music isn’t just something she does, it is who she is! She is passionate about the role and influence of music in her own life and gets so much pleasure out of stirring that same joy and passion in her students. In addition to her classroom experience, she is also a private piano instructor and composer.

Ms. Blackwell is mother to a son and daughter, both teenagers. In her free time, you will most likely find her at the piano (playing or writing) or relaxing with her latest cross stitch project.

Physical Education Teacher

Alex graduated from UNCW with a Bachelors in Environmental Science. It is there that he met his wife, Elizabeth. They live in Summerfield with their 3 awesome kids. In his spare time Alex can be found running the trails of Greensboro and spending time with his family.

Alex has always had a passion for running and fitness. He loves sharing that passion with others. He knows that kids can grow confidence and learn life skills while playing sports and trying new activities. He wants to inspire students to try new things, learn teamwork, and practice encouraging each other. His prayer is that the students at Harvest would learn that they can glorify God through their passions.