Ms. Elissa Foley

Family. Connection. Accessibility. Inspiration. Education.

These are the words that define my teaching and life. Moving from Plainview, Texas, to Gothenburg, Nebraska at the age of 10, agriculture did not come as easy to me. Though my mom is a USDA Consumer Safety Inspector, traditional Ag just didn't seem to be my "thing." That quickly changed after my first middle school agriculture course, so much so that I worked with a peer to found the Gothenburg Junior High FFA. FFA became a staple of my high school career, alongside One-Act, Speech, Musical Production, Sigma Phi Beta, Student Council, Book Club, and Pep Club. Now, moving past my college career, agriculture is just as near to my heart as ever before.

A study abroad trip to Kobe, Hyogo, Japan opened my eyes to not only the world, but my deep passion for creating spaces where agriculture is known. My advancement in education through this experience, as well as my education at South Dakota Mines (Physics), the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Agricultural Education Major, ENGLER Agribusiness Minor, Horticulture Minor), Kobe University - 神戸大学農学部 (Language, Cultural, & Agricultural Studies, Japan) and select technical education courses through Southeast Community College have made me the teacher that I am today.

I am a collegiate member of the Gothenburg FFA Alumni, ALEC Teacher Prep Club, Insect Science Club, Mind & Craft, Simple Truth Bible Study, ENGLER Agribusiness, the Trinity Lutheran Church, former member of the Delta Delta Delta Kappa Chapter Fraternity, and Kobe University Agricultural Sciences Fellowship Alumni. Alongside these, I am a member of the National Speech & Debate Association, National FFA Organization, NAAE Agricultural Education Association, and NAAEE Environmental Education Association.