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 Harvest Academy, Mr. Carter served as a 6th-12th science teacher, middle school assistant principal 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.

School Business Manager

Jennifer obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting and a Master’s degree in Accounting from UNCW. Jennifer moved to the Greensboro area after college and worked in public accounting as an auditor and later worked as a financial analyst in private industry.

Jennifer is married to Brandon, and they have two children. Both are students at Harvest Academy. She is grateful for Harvest and its emphasis on God’s Word. She is active in the local church and has spent several years in Bible Study Fellowship. Jennifer enjoys the beach, tennis, golf, and spending time with her family.

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.

Kindergarten & 1st Grade Teacher

Mrs. Parker 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.

2nd Grade Teacher

Mrs. Thomas was born and raised in Wisconsin. She attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, then went on to the University of Wisconsin-Madison to complete her Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance. Shortly after marrying her husband Dan, his job moved them to North Carolina. When her two children came along, she felt called to homeschool them in the classical model. In addition to homeschooling her own children, she also tutored with Classical Conversations. She loves igniting a passion for learning in children, encouraging them to see things through God’s Big Story. She loves spending time with her family, especially her four amazing grandchildren. She is passionate about God’s Word, the Touring Theatre of NC, and encouraging women in their walk with God.

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.

5th Grade Teacher

Mrs. Ledbetter holds a B.S. in Bible and Elementary Education from Columbia International University. During her thirty-plus years of teaching experience, Gail became the accidental author of Timeline of Classics: Historical Context for the Good and Great Books. Accidental because she followed her heart with God’s leading while homeschooling her four children in the classical model of education. During those years, Gail taught composition and literary analysis for local homeschool co-op families at Friendly Educators in Greensboro, NC. For many years, she supported tutoring students and their families both online and in her home, focusing on math, reading comprehension, and composition.

More recently, Mrs. Ledbetter served as a 5th grade teacher at The Covenant School in Greensboro. Additionally, she has worked with The Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW), which included being an author, online instructor, and regional exhibitor. She wholeheartedly offers support and encouragement to families on the path of Christian classical education.

She and her husband, Shane, have been honored to be a military family since 2019, and look forward to spending time with their expanding family of grown kids. In her spare time, Gail enjoys cultivating and sharing from the flower farm she started in 2021.

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].

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.

Music and Latin Teacher

Mrs. Fields is from Greensboro, NC. She has Bachelor and Masters degrees in Music Education with a concentration in voice, piano and choral conducting. She is certified Level III in CME (Choral Music Experience) and Level III CGI (Choristers Guild Institute), certified NCK-12 Music, and ACSI (Association of Christian Schools). Tami has taught public, private, and home schools, and community college. She also has been the music director at several churches around Greensboro directing all ages and choirs. More recently she was the K12 Fine Arts Director, Department head, MS/HS Chorus Director and HS Drama Teacher at High Point Christian Academy. Presently she leads the Kids Ministry and Kids Choir at her local church.

Mrs. Fields and her husband Bryan (a corporate pilot) have two amazing adult daughters. She homeschooled her girls and taught at several homeschool co-ops for 11 years. She also has a private music studio (piano, voice, and ukulele.) Tami loves to serve in her church, particularly in the family ministry with moms. She enjoys helping kids find joy and passion for music through singing and playing together, with the desire that her students worship the Lord by creating, and not just consuming, music. In their free time the Fields family loves to spend time at the coast or on the lake!

Instructional Support Teacher - 2nd

Mrs. Harvey joined our community in 2023 as one of our first families, serving as the teacher assistant in 1st and 2nd grade. Mrs. Harvey discovered her love for helping children learn and grow when she became a parent and homeschool educator almost 5 years ago.

She believes that cultivating a lifelong love of learning starts with helping children understand both their own unique learning styles and how to leverage those strengths to reach their full potential. Mrs. Harvey is passionate about fostering curiosity and kindness in students, and believes in modeling those same behaviors when she is interacting with the class.

She grew up in a military family and settled in North Carolina with her husband, Dustin, 9 years ago. In her spare time, she enjoys serving in children’s ministry, baking, and going on adventures with her husband, two children and their puppy!

Instructional Support Teacher - Kinder

Mrs. Heyden earned her Associates degree in Early Childhood Education from Meredith College and Haywood Community College. For over twenty years, Mrs. Heyden worked in various roles at Seawell’s Daycare and Preschool, serving as Director of preschool, afterschool, and summer care programs.

She has always felt called by the Lord to work with children, and is excited to be part of an academic organization that puts Jesus first in all areas of learning. In her spare time, she loves being outdoors with her husband and five beautiful children. She enjoys all things crafty, including crocheting, sewing, screen printing and embroidery.

Instructional Support Teacher - Kinder/1st

Mrs. Brown joins Harvest Academy in 2024 as both parent and staff member. She graduated in 2014 with a BS in Elementary Education from UNCG and taught several elementary grades in Guilford County Schools for six years. Mrs. Brown is married to her high school sweetheart Russell, and they have two children, Evelyn and Nora Kate. As a family, they attend Mercy Hill Church and are committed to their walk with the Lord.

Outside of her passion for teaching and learning, Mrs. Brown loves summers at the beach and Duke basketball.