Today we’d like to introduce you to Nancy McFarland
Hi Nancy, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started my career as an elementary teacher in Columbus Public Schools. I loved teaching and working with students who needed a little extra help in the classroom. I worked as a classroom teacher for 10 years until I had my own children. I decided to stay home with my children and take a break from teaching. When they started school, I became a classroom volunteer. I quickly realized I missed being in the school environment and working with kids. This started my second career of volunteering and fundraising for non profits that were child centered.
I really enjoyed helping the local PTAs raise money and working on ways to give back to the schools. In 2008, I joined a non profit group called Westerville Education Challenge. The group focused on bringing Challenge Day to all three high schools in Westerville. Challenge Day is an anti bullying and acceptance program. The group has grown and evolved over the last eighteen years. I have served on numerous committees over the years and really proud of the programs we offer in the schools currently. Hope Squad has replaced Challenge Day after Covid disrupted services and the student wanted a more social emotional program that focused on suicide prevention. We also support WEB, Where Everyone Belongs in the middle school and Girl’s Rox in elementary schools and middle schools. We help with the cost of Twinkle, a certified Canine Companion therapy dog that goes to school everyday at Westerville South. WEC can provide these wonderful programs due to our fundraising efforts each year.
I have also been involved with starting The Big Bus non profit in Westerville. The Big Bus is a mobile tutoring bus that goes into underserved areas and tutors kids from PreK to 12th grade. I have really enjoyed working with the students and seeing them grow academically and socially. I have worked with the summer program the last two summers and it has been fun to see the students enjoying book clubs, Lego building, water color painting and solving math mysteries. They truly enjoy coming to The Big Bus even when school is out for the summer.
I feel like the last 20 years have been the best combination of my previous career and my new career. I get to use my teaching skills every week and make a difference in lots of students lives through The Big Bus and Westerville Education Challenge.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Working with non profits is never an easy road. The hardest part is securing enough funds to do all the programs and keeping volunteers and members engaged. Westerville Education Challenge is an all volunteer non profit. The members work all the events and volunteer as Hope Squad leaders, Parent Prep volunteers, and facilitates our annual 5K fundraiser.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am really proud of the success of Westerville Education Challenge and The Big Bus. They are both two nonprofits that I hold close to my heart. I have worked hard for them both and have enjoyed the friendships that I have made. The best part is always the children and seeing how much of an impact these non profits have on them.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I enjoy listening to historical fiction or biographies while I walk in the evenings. I love learning about people who are contributing to the world in a positive way. The Forbes 50 Over 50 lists, which recognizes women who are making an impact despite their age, always inspires me to continue to find ways to impact my own community. I find the women’s stories heartfelt and intriguing. I also listen to the podcast Smartless because I think it is important to laugh every day, especially in the heavy news cycle that we are living through right now.
