Written by: Colleen Gonzalez, Assistant Sports Information Director
Like most college graduates, former State University of New York at New Paltz women’s basketball member Maggie Farrell ’10 wasn’t sure what her next step would be after receiving her Bachelor of Arts in childhood education.
However, when she took a leap of faith and reached out to a family friend with ties to the world of international education, it led her to a life changing experience.
Farrell knew she wanted to play basketball in college. When she sat in on a New Paltz women’s basketball practice and met the girls on the team, she found the program she was looking for.
“I really enjoyed the small school and community feel,” said Farrell. “In addition to being interested in the basketball program, I really liked the school and the unique vibe of the town of New Paltz.”
Playing at guard for the Hawks under the tutelage of head women’s basketball coach Jamie Seward, Farrell led the team as a captain in her junior and senior years and collected 71 wins in her four-year career.
Farrell also made her mark in the school record books, as she currently stands seventh in both career points (903) and career rebounds (538). She also ranks 10th in career assists (184) and ninth in career steals (173).
Farrell’s tenure with the basketball team imparted lessons she continues to carry with her in the present day.
“The most significant thing I took away from my time as a college athlete was how to be a good teammate,” said Farrell. “Coach Seward encouraged all of us to work together toward common goals, and he always ensured that we dreamed big and helped push us to reach those goals together.”
With the goal of being a teacher, Farrell was trying to figure out how to pursue her career when her father offered to put her into contact with an old friend he made years ago.
While on vacation with her siblings and father in Barcelona, her father, a children’s songwriter and author, ended up performing at a conference for International Educators. One of the attendees was the head of an international school, and the pair stayed in contact.
Eight years later, Farrell used her father’s connection to discuss a possible teaching opportunity with that woman’s daughter, who was the Deputy Head of the International School of Moshi in Tanzania.
“Quite soon after that, I heard back from her that they would love to have my help, and a few months later I headed off to Tanzania,” said Farrell. “It was an important lesson for me to realize that you can make connections with people anywhere if you open yourself up to it and also that it never hurts to ask someone for something that you want.
“Without my Dad’s encouragement I don’t think I ever would have asked someone if I could come volunteer at their school in Africa!”
Although she was uncertain of how her experience would pan out, Farrell was soon offered a substitute position for one of the primary classes when the teacher went on maternity leave and ended up working as a full-time teacher for the rest of the year.
The opportunity also allowed her to integrate her love of basketball by coaching the girls and boys middle school teams. She even introduced the kids to March Madness.
“I think my leadership role while playing basketball at New Paltz made me a much stronger person,” said Farrell. “I found my voice and became focused on specific goals and finding ways to help my teammates come together to achieve those goals.
“This is something I have to do on a daily basis as a teacher; helping my students push themselves past what they thought was possible is one of the greatest accomplishments as a teacher.”
Although Farrell’s time in Tanzania led her on spectacular adventures such as going on a safari, summiting Mount Kilimanjaro and bungee jumping off of the highest bungee bridge in the world, nothing compares to the relationships she has built and shared with her students.
“My most rewarding experience as a teacher abroad has been the connections I have made with people from literally all over the world,” said Farrell. “While it’s true that a lot of times life is easier in the United States, it also can be boring to have the same routine and same day-to-day conversations.
“I get to teach children that have stories that are so different from mine. Everyday I learn something, and everyday I see something new. This has made my life richer and more rewarding than I ever could have imagined.”
Due to her experience in Tanzania, Farrell received a full-time teaching position at the Zhuhai International School in China, where she taught many second language English classes to kindergarteners.
Farrell returned to China in August for her second year of teaching but she will never stop being thankful for the lessons New Paltz instilled in her life.
“My experience at New Paltz prepared me for teaching internationally because of the diversity New Paltz has to offer,” said Farrell. “New Paltz really does a great job of accepting students from all different backgrounds.
“I am eternally grateful for all that I learned during my time at New Paltz and know that the value and skills I acquired are ones that will be with me for the rest of my life.”
