Teacher of the Month, Terri English

Terri English is an advocate and a product of Catholic schools. She attended Catholic schools in both elementary and high school at St. Thomas More and Paul VI High School. She graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with a bachelor’s in elementary education with an endorsement in early childhood education. She has been teaching for 23 years, and for the last 20 years has been teaching first grade at St. Columbkille Catholic School in Papillion. Terri is married and has three children—Patrick, Brigid, and Peggy—all of whom attended St. Columbkille. When Terri’s not busy with schoolwork, she enjoys baking, reading, playing volleyball, and golfing. She walks four miles every night with a friend, which she believes keeps her healthy and focused. “I love my job. I have found my passion: teaching children to read. It is very rewarding work. Because I have been at the same school for so long, I have taught many siblings, cousins, and now even some children of former students. St. Columbkille is my extended family. I feel very blessed to be a part of this community for so many years,” she says.

“Terri is one of those teachers who adapts to the learning styles of individuals. She puts in the time and effort to meet each student’s needs. Her attention to detail, her devotion to creating a positive learning environment, and her ability to notice each of her students’ talents makes her a treasure to have at St. Columbkille School. She was a role model and an inspiration for my entire family, whether we were in her class or not,” says former student Josh Riesberg.