Heather English is one of many biology teachers here at Jacksonville High School, and I had the privilege to get to meet her for the first time since I started coming to JHS. I asked Mrs. English about her inspiration to become a teacher, and she replied, “Some of my previous teachers and my mother who was a pre-school teacher.” Mrs. English realized she wanted to be a teacher at 4th grade. Mrs. English also really doesn’t like the use of cell phones in her class. I asked Mrs. English “What type of teacher do you think you are?” and she replied, “A hands-on teacher with various styles.” Mrs. English went to Eastern University for undergrad and for her masters. She also went to UIS and Western University.
Mrs. English teaches biology, but her favorite subject other than science was English, specifically Shakespeare. Mrs. English commented that she would be a genetics counselor if she wasn’t a teacher. What a genetics counselor does is educate individuals, families, and communities about inheritance testing, management, prevention, resource and research in genetic counseling. Mrs. English would have never discovered her favorite type of student if she had become a genetics counselor. When I asked her what her favorite type of student is, she replied with this good comment, “A student that wants to learn.” Her reply means to me that she still has hope for this generation. Mrs. English’s past work history includes being a nanny and working a college copy store called “Copy Express” which is still around today.
Mrs. English has two children; a boy (5), and a girl (3). Mrs. English has a busy home life. Mrs. English enjoys comedy movies the best. Mrs. English enjoys all of her classes. Mrs. English prefers to spend time with her mentee, Mrs. Langhof, in addition to her husband, Mr. English. Mrs. English prefers a movie over a play. Mrs. English’s favorite movie is James Cameron’s Avatar. Mrs. English’s favorite aspect of her job is that she gets to interact with all of the students.