Mrs. Evans:

My name is Mrs. Evans, and I’m from Evansville. No the city was not named after me.

I’m coming to Highland after being the music teacher at Culver for the last 29 years.  I am so excited to be teaching the brand new Yamaha Music In Education keyboards. What a great opportunity for our boys and girls. Have you joined our key club? I have a wonderful husband and 2 awesome grandsons – Gavin and B.J.  Two years ago I got to meet my favorite singer/performer – Barry Manilow. You could say that I am a “Fanilow.” The staff and children here at Highland have made me feel so welcome.  Thanks for making me a Highlander.

Mrs. Peden:

I feel blessed to have joined the wonderful staff at Highland Elementary School on a full time basis.  I have been a substitute teacher at Highland for the last ten years, which included two long-term substitute positions in 4^th grade classrooms.  I received my bachelor’s degree in Family Services and my master’s degree in Elementary Education.   

I am married and have two daughters.  My daughter, Renae, is a senior at Central High School and my daughter, Ellen, is a junior at Central High School.  My family also includes our dog, Max, and cat, Tigger.  My extended family lives in ten different states so an opportunity for us to gather is a priority. The school year is off to a great start, and I am excited to see how the rest of the year unfolds. 

Mrs. Stewart:

Hello, my name is Gail Stewart and I am very excited to be a member of Highland's staff and school community. I am very excited about teaching fourth grade. To introduce myself, I'll share some information about myself and my family. My husband Steve and I live on a farm in Princeton. We raise a few cattle on our farm, four dogs and one cat. We have one daughter, Dr. Sarah Stewart, and one son, Levi Stewart, and a daughter-in-law, Krystal.

I received my bachelor's and master' s degrees from the University of Evansville. I received my Educational Specialist Degree from Indiana State University. I was a special education coordinator and in school administration, as a principal for EVSC for sixteen years.

Outside of school I have many hobbies. I enjoy baking and cake decorating. I enjoy quilting and craft projects. I love to make handmade greeting cards to give to friends and family. On the weekend you may see me enjoying a good auction or two. I'm looking forward to working with the students, parents, and fellow staff members at Highland this school year.

Mrs. Kraft:

I have been warmly welcomed by Highland Elementary School's administration, staff, and parents,  It is indeed a pleasure to become a part of the teaching staff.   I earned my bachelor's degree from Union University in Jackson, Tennessee and my master's degree from Indiana State.  I have been an educator for 23 years and have taught one year at Glenwood Elementary, six years at Harper Elementary, and the remainder of my time at Lincoln Elementary.  I enjoy traveling and being able to experience different cultures and people.  I have traveled to Uganda, Belgium, Hawaii, New York City and look forward to traveling to Italy and Washington, DC in the near future.
I am the wife of the late Tony Kraft. We were blessed to have been married 24 years before his passing.  I am the mother of two sons, Matthew, a recent graduate of Wabash College and Jonathan, a sophomore at USI.