Mr. Ballard was educated and raised in Wilson County. He is a proud graduate of Wilson Beddingfield. He continued his education at Fayetteville State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration-Management in 1993. In 2012, Mr. Ballard earned his Master’s Degree in School Administration from North Carolina State University. This is Mr. Ballard’s 24th year in education. As an educator, Mr. Ballard has taught and coached in Edgecombe and Wake Counties. During this time, he worked in both middle and high school levels. He gained his first Assistant Principal assignment in 2015 at Rocky Mount High School. Mr. Ballard became an Assistant Principal at Edwards Middle School from 2017-2023. His recent assignment was at Southern Nash Middle School as an Assistant Principal before becoming the Principal at Tar River Academy.

I am delighted to be a member of the Phoenix family. No matter what barriers students encounter throughout life experiences, Education and Character will take them as far as they want to go as well as help them achieve their goals and dreams. I look forward to working with all stakeholders in preparing students at Tar River Academy to become productive citizens in our society.

"Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family." Kofi Annan

Mr. Harvey has 22 years experience in Education.  He was educated and raised in Greenville, North Carolina.  Mr. Harvey  is a graduate of J.H. Rose High School.  He continued his education at  Winston Salem state University where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in History in 2001.  In 2012 Mr. Harvey received his Masters degree in School Administration from North Carolina Central University.   Mr. Harvey worked in WIlson County Schools for 20 years where he served as an Assistant Principal (5 years at Elm City Middle and 1 year at Hunt High School). Mr. Harvey became the Director of Transportation for Wilson County Schools in 2015.  In 2022 Mr. Harvey transitioned to Human Resources as the Director of Classified Personnel. Mr. Harvey returned to a school setting in 2023 due to his desire to help students succeed. 

Mr. Harvey is excited to be part of the TRA family and is looking forward to all the amazing things our students will accomplish in the years to come. No matter what challenges may arise we will handle them with grace and still complete our overall mission of producing positive members of society.