Being a student is no easy task. Whether it’s late nights poring over books or long days going from school to work, it takes hard work and dedication to succeed in school. But imagine doing all this and then adding the daunting task of having a family.

The previous scenario sums up the daily life of non-traditional student Missy Farnsworth. Born and raised in Dayton, Tenn., Farnsworth is now in her senior year at Lee and is working toward her degree in elementary education.

After highschool, Farnsworth attended college, but eventually married and started a family. Originally majoring in accounting, Farnsworth joined the work force and soon found that her heart was somewhere else: teaching.

When asked why she chose Lee, Farnsworth said, “God brought me to Lee, more than anything else.”

With three active daughters and a husband with a full time job, juggling school into the mix of her life demands focus. In order to get her work done, Farnsworth has to use all the time she has, whether that means doing homework in the car, on the bleachers at her daughter’s games or late at night. And Farnsworth believes that all the hard work will be worth it in the end.

Although school is a priority for Farnsworth, her family is her main focus.

“I think [family] is important. You have to make that a priority.”

Farnsworth hopes to use her degree to affect the lives of children.

“I really want to make a long-lasting difference in their lives.”

As a non-traditional student, Missy realizes the importance of knowing that you are doing what you love, and that God has called you.

“You can earn a whole lot of money doing what you do, but if your heart’s not in it, it’s worthless.”