Alumni Snapshot: Jillian Fairfax
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Published: Jul 07, 2025
Name: Jillian Fairfax
NHA schools attended: Chandler Woods Charter Academy (grades K–1); Queen's Grant Community School (grades 2–8), Class of 2009
College attended: University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Class of 2016
Degree: Bachelor of Art in Elementary Education
Employer and position: Office Manager at Cheer Athletics, Charlotte
Tell us about your journey since you graduated from NHA.
I went to high school and college. I graduated college a semester earlier than my peers after starting a year later. I got a degree in elementary education and returned to Queen’s Grant to teach 5th grade. I also taught PE while I was there too. Now I work as the office manager at my daughter’s Allstar cheer gym part time and stay home with our youngest!
Which Moral Focus™ virtue has best shaped your life and why?
Perseverance. I was a new first-time mom working my way through college, and with determination and perseverance, I was able to graduate a semester earlier than my peers after starting a year later than them. I also was diagnosed with breast cancer, and I have been fighting through that this year and have not given up on myself even though it’s felt incredibly disheartening and challenging at times.
How did your NHA schools help prepare you for your academic and life experiences?
I was able to graduate high school with honors and attend a four-year university where I graduated with honors as well! I use the moral focus virtues I was taught daily. I have also gone on to teach my children those virtues as well.
NHA schools attended: Chandler Woods Charter Academy (grades K–1); Queen's Grant Community School (grades 2–8), Class of 2009
College attended: University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Class of 2016
Degree: Bachelor of Art in Elementary Education
Employer and position: Office Manager at Cheer Athletics, Charlotte
Tell us about your journey since you graduated from NHA.
I went to high school and college. I graduated college a semester earlier than my peers after starting a year later. I got a degree in elementary education and returned to Queen’s Grant to teach 5th grade. I also taught PE while I was there too. Now I work as the office manager at my daughter’s Allstar cheer gym part time and stay home with our youngest!
Which Moral Focus™ virtue has best shaped your life and why?
Perseverance. I was a new first-time mom working my way through college, and with determination and perseverance, I was able to graduate a semester earlier than my peers after starting a year later than them. I also was diagnosed with breast cancer, and I have been fighting through that this year and have not given up on myself even though it’s felt incredibly disheartening and challenging at times.
How did your NHA schools help prepare you for your academic and life experiences?
I was able to graduate high school with honors and attend a four-year university where I graduated with honors as well! I use the moral focus virtues I was taught daily. I have also gone on to teach my children those virtues as well.