Staff Spotlight: Trey Ballard Seeing Students Grow in Strength (and Confidence)

This post is part of the Lynden Schools Staff Spotlight series

For over three decades, Trey Ballard has served Lynden Middle School students, all while relishing in the opportunity to help those students grow in confidence. He hasn’t stopped there, also working with many of those same students in high school as a coach in the district for each year he’s been a teacher. 

The Role

Ballard began as a middle school physical education teacher 33 years ago. He’s faithfully stuck with it every year since. Currently, he teaches five periods of Lynden Middle School physical education, instructing sixth through eighth graders. 

“One of the more rewarding aspects of my job is to see the students get stronger,” Ballard says, “and with that strength comes confidence.”

Ballard has more opportunities to see that strength on display beyond the school day. For each of the 33 years he has taught, he’s also served as a coach in the district, including for over the last 20 years as the varsity tennis coach for the boys (fall season) and the girls (spring season). His teams have won multiple league and district championships, and he’s spearheaded two girls tennis team state titles and a handful of individual state victories and medal placements. 

Getting to Know Trey

Getting outside is as much a part of LMS physical education as the weather allows. That suits Ballard just fine. “I love the outdoors,” he said, noting he recently purchased a home in eastern Montana. “This should help me enjoy those outdoor opportunities.”