My name is Heather Gilland, and I am one of the middle school ELA teachers here at St. John Paul II. I grew up in the New Albany Deanery graduating from St. Mary’s New Albany and Our Lady of Providence High School. I graduated from Indiana University Southeast in 2010. I have twelve years of teaching experience including ten at JPII.
My husband, Josh, and I have been married since 2015. We love to travel, read, and enjoy going to the movies. We have been blessed with three children, Finn, Rory, and Holden. Finn is in the 2nd grade this year, and Rory will be starting Kindergarten. My husband is also a product of the deanery schools, and we understand the value of a Catholic education in our lives. I want my children to receive this gift of a God-based education, and I strive to help my students grow closer to God while receiving a high level of instruction.
I love being able to give back to the deanery that helped me grow in so many ways. I will always remember my middle school ELA teacher’s passion as we were reading novels. Her love of the written word was contagious and made me the avid reader that I am today. I hope to impart even a small part of my love of reading onto my students as she did.