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As soon as you have a conversation with me, you will know that I am not from Highland. I was born in Windsor, England, and I have been fortunate enough to have lived in numerous countries, such as Germany, Belgium and France. Upon coming to America, I obtained a BS, Elementary Education, McKendree University, followed by an MS, Elementary Education with an Emphasis in Reading, McKendree University. I sponsor the Drama Club intramural and co-sponsor the Model United Nations Debate Club at HMS. I am the proud parent of a son who works in Chicago.. Our family has four black labs; Neo, Zoe, Nugget and Arya. I am an avid reader and I enjoy renovating my 96 year-old home. I am constantly trying to recreate the quintessential English garden with varying degrees of success. I am thrilled and excited to embark upon a new year of teaching ELA at the Middle School.
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Ms. Fiona Abbott 
National Board Certified Teacher
​English Language Arts
​ [email protected]
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I am extremely excited to be teaching here at HMS.  I was born and raised in Highland, and I am looking forward to be working with kids in my hometown.  I earned my education degree in 2015 during my second stint in college.  My wife is also a teacher in another district.  We have three children named Payton, Nolan, and Retta.  I enjoy playing sports, reading, board games, comics, and geeking out with sci-fi movies and shows.

Mr. Chris Frey 
Social Studies 
[email protected] 


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I’ve lived in this area most of my life, and love everything Highland has to offer. My first career was as a computer graphic artist, creating product packaging. However, my passion was to become a teacher.  I went back to school, earning the following degrees: BS, Elementary Education & Psychology, Southern Illinois University, 2006, MS, Educational Studies, McKendree University, 2010, and Type 75 Certification, McKendree University, 2013. I live with my husband, Joe, and my two sons, Seth and Kaleb in Grantfork. I'm really excited about working to build a love for math in each of my students.. 

Mrs. Stephanie Schwappach
Math
[email protected]
Mrs. Linda Berg grew up in rural northwest Iowa. She and her family moved to the Highland area in 1998. She has been teaching in the Highland School District since 2000 in a variety of special education classrooms.  She is very excited about coming to the middle school and helping her students succeed in the 6th grade. She and her husband have three children, Paige, Kristen, and Christopher. She and her husband enjoy traveling and outdoor activities. They are kept quite busy attending numerous sporting events that their son is involved in.
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Mrs. Linda Berg
Special Education
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                                                                  Mrs. Haas received a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Management with an emphasis in Athletic                                                                              Training from SBU in 2002 and her teaching certificate in 2023. For the past 18 years, I have served the                                                                          Wesclin community in various capacities as their Athletic Trainer, substitute teacher and PE Teachers Aide.                                                                    She lives in Trenton with her husband Mark, and 3 sons, Adam (17), Noah (14) and Judah (6). In her free                                                                        time, she enjoys watching her sons events and activities, gardening, reading, traveling and serving in her                                                                       church.
                                                                 Mrs. Valerie Haas
                                                                 PE Teacher
                                                                 [email protected]