Meade County Schools proudly recognized longtime educator, administrator, and career and technical education advocate Mrs. Faye Campbell as a 2026 Greenwave Legacy Award recipient during the district’s annual Opening Day celebration.
Mrs. Campbell was introduced by longtime Meade County educator Darren Jones, who is beginning his 32nd year serving the district. Jones has known and worked alongside Mrs. Campbell for nearly four decades and described her as an advocate for vocational training, an educator, an administrator, a dear friend, and someone he considers a “second mama.”
Mrs. Campbell’s career in education spanned more than four decades and left a lasting impact on generations of Meade County students.
A native of Barren County, Mrs. Campbell graduated from Park City High School in 1965 before attending Western Kentucky University, where she earned a double major in mathematics and English in 1969. She began her career teaching in public schools before returning to WKU as a graduate assistant, where she taught freshman English while completing her master’s degree.
In January 1973, Mrs. Campbell began teaching mathematics through a Western Kentucky University adult education program serving military personnel at Fort Campbell. That move would eventually bring her to Meade County and begin a career that would shape career and technical education in the district for decades.
Mrs. Campbell and her husband, Jim, married in December 1975 and later moved to the Flaherty area. In 1977, she responded to a newspaper advertisement seeking a math, English, and reading teacher for the newly constructed vocational school in Meade County.
She was hired and began teaching at the Meade County Area Vocational Education Center in January 1978.
Mrs. Campbell remained deeply connected to the school for the rest of her career. During her early years there, she also became an advisor for the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America, now known as SkillsUSA.
After earning her Rank I certification, Mrs. Campbell eventually became principal of the Meade County Area Technology Center. She would go on to lead the school through decades of growth and change, including two major renovation projects.
Mrs. Campbell retired in 2019 with more than 43 years of service in the Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement System.
Retirement, however, did not end her commitment to career and technical education.
Mrs. Campbell remains active with SkillsUSA as a member of the Kentucky association’s board and as an alumni member. She continues to serve as a judge for regional and state competitions and assists Meade County students by coaching local chapter business procedure teams.
She is also a member of the Meade County chapter of the Kentucky Retired Teachers Association.
Jones’ introduction highlighted not only Mrs. Campbell’s professional accomplishments, but also the personal relationships she built throughout her career. His tribute reflected the way Mrs. Campbell became a mentor, trusted colleague, and family-like presence for those who worked alongside her.
Her career helped establish and strengthen a culture at the Meade County Area Technology Center in which students could discover skills, careers, leadership opportunities, and pathways for their futures.
Thousands of students passed through the school during Mrs. Campbell’s years of service, and her influence continues through the programs, traditions, and people she helped develop.
The Greenwave Legacy Award recognizes individuals whose service has made a lasting contribution to Meade County Schools and whose impact continues well beyond their years of employment.
Meade County Schools proudly congratulates Mrs. Faye Campbell on being named a 2026 Greenwave Legacy Award recipient and thanks her for more than four decades of leadership, advocacy, and service to the students and families of Meade County.