#Campbell21 | Future teacher wants to make lasting impact on her students’ lives

When Haley Farrow lost her father in the sixth grade, it was her teachers — specifically, a middle school P.E. teacher — who were there for her and guided her through an extremely difficult time. Farrow never forgot the impact of those educators, and that experience formed a passion for teaching and being there for others that’s now embedded in her today.

Farrow will graduate from Campbell University with a degree in health and physical education with a teacher licensure on Saturday at Barker-Lane Stadium. The Creeksville, North Carolina, native says she’s ready to be the kind of teacher she had growing up — one who cares and has a positive impact on their students’ lives. 

“I look at teaching as having the biggest chance to make a difference. I know I never forgot my good teachers,” Farrow said. “And by teaching P.E., I also get to teach them how to be physically healthy and active. I want my students to take the things I teach them and apply them to their lives and to their health long after school.”

Farrow, who has been teaching P.E. in Harnett County Schools while finishing her degree, says she plans to take the summer off after graduation and mull over offers from schools in North Carolina. She said Campbell has prepared her well for the next step and had nothing but positive things to say about her two advisors, Dr. Terrie Hampton-Jones from the School of Education and Dr. Kymm Ballard from the College of Arts & Sciences’ exercise science program. 

“Haley is a leader among leaders,” said Hampton-Jones, director of teaching scholars and technology coordinator for the School of Education. “She enjoys collaborating, teaming and assisting others. She’s a dependable student that puts others first … and she creates a positive and fun learning environment. Her students rave about her. She is a reflective practitioner and natural in the classroom.”

Farrow said her final year and a half at Campbell were a challenge, as the pandemic forced students to transition to online learning in 2020, and many of her favorite traditions — such as sporting events — were altered considerably in 2021. But the pandemic also made her a better teacher, she said, because she was able to watch her professors transition into online learning and see what they did to make the class more engaging and fun. 

“I’m a social butterfly, so not getting to see my professors and my classmates outside of a computer — and not being able to mingle, joke and laugh with them — was tough,” she said. “I definitely learn better when I’m face-to-face with my peers and my professors … but I saw how my professors focused on instruction and delivery and put our interests first.”

Farrow said she’s honored to be a product of the School of Education and honored to become a Fighting Camel alumna this spring. 

“The School of Education is known for its production of well prepared teachers, therefore, being able to say that I am a product of Campbell’s School of Education is exciting to me; we have the best future teachers,” she said. “I love the way Campbell keeps connected with their alumni and honors our time here at school. I’ve made some good memories over my four years here so knowing that I will still feel like a part of Campbell post graduation means a lot to me.”