Influencer of the Week: Jeremy Campbell, Central Florida Christian Academy

Jeremy Campbell serves in various capacities at Central Florida Christian Academy, and each allows him to have a positive impact on the lives of his students. Whether he is walking the hallways or coaching on the football field, Campbell prioritizes and is motivated by ensuring the success and well-being of each student at the school — academically, athletically and spiritually. 

What brought you to CFCA?

Initially, it was just being able to impact kids. I knew the Central Florida area well from my playing days over in Daytona. Being on campus and seeing the amount of kids that come through here on a daily basis between the school, the church and the youth leagues in the area, I knew this was a place where I could get in and impact the next generations to come.

What do you love most about your school?

I love the diversity here. You get all races, nationalities, all walks of life. As a school, we are extremely diverse, and I think that in my position, I have to be able to be well rounded and be able to communicate with them. Just being there for them is one of the things that I love most.

What is your motivation?

My faith: That’s first and foremost. I think God has put me here for a reason. It wasn’t an easy decision to come over here, but through tons and tons of prayer, He opened some doors. I think that me being here is His word, and He’s put me in positions and opportunities to impact the youth — and not only the youth but the staff we have here. … Obviously, my family, too. My daughters go here. They’re 5; they’re in kindergarten. … Seeing their growth, the teachers that love on them here, and being able to walk the hallways and know they’re safe is also a huge part of it/

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

One thing that I love is growing young kids into young adults and seeing them walk across the stage. Being here four years now, this graduating class kind of came in with me, so seeing the growth that they’ve made from a personal standpoint — from their faith to their athletics to academics — that’s all the reward that I need.

Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why?

Not necessarily a teacher, but a coach — Coach Jared Zito, my high-school coach, he really changed the game for me. I didn’t play football until I was a junior. He really taught me that football is more than just a sport. In my high school, it was a family atmosphere. That’s something that he preached from Day 1, and it really stuck with me. He really affected me, and I try to mimic some of the things that I do here from him. And also Coach (Dabo) Swinney while I was at Clemson. Coach Swinney is  phenomenal guy. I was part of the regime as he got in and took over. … His faith, how he keeps that relevant in the programs and the way he carries himself is something that I’ve always taken with me.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Why?

When I was a kid, I was a basketball guy. I played basketball all throughout when I was little and in high school … so the NBA was the gig back in the day. I (also) always wanted to be a police officer or just anything where I can help. I’m all about helping people, whether it’s kids or adults. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do, but I knew I was going to be helping in some way.

What was your favorite book as a child?

My favorite book that I read was probably “The Outsiders.” I felt that it related to the things I was going through in that time — my middle-school and early junior-high years — and then seeing the movies. That book has really stuck with me through the years.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

Are time travel and freezing time superpowers? If I had that, it would be great, because I could go back and fix a lot of the things I messed up on in life. Also, with my kids, I could pause (time) and enjoy the different moments and things like that.