Hello! My name is Deidra Hiltner, and I am an Eden Valley-Watkins graduate, class of 2000. I live in Paynesville with my husband and our four children; Josie, Callie, Tess, and Thomas Jr. I graduated from St. Cloud State with a degree in Environmental Studies and Biology. I then earned a Graduate Teaching License from The College of St. Scholastica in Elementary Education and 5-8 Science, a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Master's Degree in Special Education. 

I have cherished the past 16 years teaching in elementary through senior high classrooms. While science has always been a strong interest, a passion for reading instruction has grown in me over the years. It is a fantastic sight to watch a child grow in confidence when given the tools needed to make academic gains in reading. 

In my "free time," I enjoy gardening and cooking. As a family, we spend our time camping, fishing, trap shooting, and playing cards. The kids keep us busy with many sports, including volleyball, basketball, wrestling, t-ball, trap, soccer, figure skating, and track.