Student Services Support Staff respect the privacy of information, always considering actions in terms of rights, integrity, and the welfare of students. We are obligated by law and by ethical standards to report and refer a case when a person’s welfare is in jeopardy. It is a our duty to inform an individual of the conditions and limitations under which assistance may be provided. These conditions include harm to self, harm to others, or harm by others.  We want to help the student in jeopardy connect with people who are experts in dealing with those complex situations.

Student Services

School Counselor

SCHOOL COUNSELOR

Cynthia Jarvis Steele

The student counselor is here to help with:

  • Registration

  • Academic Concerns

  • Personal Issues/ Conflict Resolution

  • Career Exploration and College Planning

  • Scholarships/Financial Aid

  • Parent/Teacher Conferences

Email Cynthia J. Steele

Ms. Clark, Data Manager

Data Manager/Bookkeeper

Dia Clark

  • Gathers information from various counties, schools, counselors and parents for enrollment of students. 

  • Manages student’s records to analyze, generate and distribute student’s demographics, scheduling, academic progress, testing and disciplinary reports.

  • Coordinates and oversees distribution of Parent Portal login information and responsible for quality assurance of parent User IDs and passwords. 

  • Assures coordination of both verbal and written information from school is accurately provided to a variety of departments and school system business owners.

Email Dia Clark

Dean of Students

DEAN OF STUDENTS

Antoine L. Brown

The Dean of Students provides administrative assistance in areas assigned by the principal in the a 9th through 12th grade facility.  Including, yet not limited to

  • Student supervision

  • Specifically in attendance

  • Discipline

  • Student guidance

  • Instructional leadership improvement

  • Variety of student body activities

  • Parental engagement

Email Antoine L. Brown

Latoya Ward, Social Worker

SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER

Latoya Ward

The school social worker is trained to assess and address the needs of students who may be experiencing barriers to academic success.  School Social Worker services include:

  • Assessment and identification of emotional, behavioral, and academic needs; referral to services to address identified needs

  • Implementation of procedures that address school safety, attendance, crisis response, and child abuse & neglect

  • Advocacy for programs and procedures in the school and the community that meet the unmet needs of students and families

The School Social Worker serves multiple schools so it is not on our campus daily. You may contact the School Social Worker by calling the main office or by sending an email .

Email Latoya Ward

MTS5 Coordinator

MTSS COORDINATOR

Patricia E. Wells

The MTSS Facilitator works alongside teachers to:

  • Support the needs of all students.

  • Provide resources for intervention purposes.

  • Offer professional development opportunities.

  • Support Professional Learning Communities.

  • Problem solve using student data.

Email Patricia E. Wells

Julian Martinez, School Psychologist

SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST

Julian Martinez

The School Psychologist is trained to address academic, emotional, and behavioral barriers that may be hindering student success. They collaborate with educators, administrators, families, and other mental health professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments for all students while working to create a strong school-home connection. Duties include but are not limited to:
-the use of standardized assessments to identify and address the academic, behavioral, and emotional needs of individual students
-Collaboration in the design and implementation of appropriate interventions and accommodations for students.
-Participation in the IEP process
-Providing direct services to individual or groups of students (e.g.. counseling, crisis interventions, mentoring, safety plans)
-Working with administrators to establish school wide programs and procedures that address the unmet needs of students and families

The School Psychologist serves multiple schools and is not on our campus daily. You may contact the School Psychologist by calling the main office or by sending an email .

Email Julian Martinez

Ms. Esule CIS

Student Support Specialist, Communities In Schools

Jacqueline Esule

Implement the CIS Model with the ABC+P Framework. The framework focuses on driving student success by increasing attendance (A), improving behavior (B), improving coursework (C), and engaging parents and families (P).

Provide resources exposing students to Career and College readiness opportunities.

Over the past 32 years Communities In Schools of Rocky Mount Region has served over 10.000 at risk students directly through case management.

CIS is in schools to help students stay in school and be successful.

Email Jacqueline Esule

Nurse Lucas

School Nurse

Kristina Lucas

Links to Resources for Students and Families:

College Foundation of North Carolina

Federal Student Aid (FAFSA

Residency Determination for College

Military Options

Student Records Request

NC Works

Vocational Rehabilitation

NC Careers

O'NET

Teen Central

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

DACA Students

Khan Academy

Youth Employment (NCDOL)

Communities in Schools

2024-2025 Annual TRA School Counselor Calendar

2024-2025 Phoenix Time (Intervention) Calendar

Mission of the School Counseling Program:

The mission of the Tar River Academy school counseling program is to assist students with getting back on track for graduation and being prepared for adult life.  Academic, social, emotional and career needs are addressed through individual counseling, small group interventions and classroom guidance lessons that meet each student's unique needs. Collaboration between stakeholders and the counseling department is ongoing and uses dialogue, advocacy and referrals. This collaboration ensures that students have the tools they need to overcome barriers and be successful.

Vision of the School Counseling Program:

The vision of the Tar River Academy school counseling program is to empower all students to take advantage of their education and community resources to reach their unique goals.