Meet Our Teachers
Dr. Shelly Hoffman, Head of School
• 4th year at WFS as Head of School
• Has been in education for over 30 years at the elementary level as well as at the college level
• Feels God has placed her at WFS to do His work
• Loves teaching and working with students of all ages
• Lover of sports and athletics
• Married with 5 children; four sons and one daughter. Four are married.
• Nana to eight (and four more on the way) grandchildren who light up her world
• Enjoys watching her grandchildren participate in ANY activity
• Enjoys many types of music
• Favorite past time is being at the lake
Ms. Brandi, Elementary classroom
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Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Wichita State University
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Starting Masters in Education, fall 2023
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5th year with Wichita Friends School
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Teaches grade 1st-3rd
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Loves working at WFS because it feels like one big family
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Feels so loved and supported here
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Loves working with kids to see young minds grow as they learn and find their own way
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Hobbies include reading, baking, and playing with 4 fur babies- Paisley, Reesey, Casanova, and Impawla
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Disney lover-music, movies, and visits
Ms. Riley - Kindergarten Teacher
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Bachelor’s degree in Education from Covenant College
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Taught 4th grade in Montana for two years
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Lived in Georgia, Tennessee, and Montana. Now… Kansas!
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Hobbies include camping, hiking, and reading
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Loves to go outside as much as possible
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She enjoys spending time with her son and doing puzzles
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Married to husband Sylvester, who is dedicated to serving his country
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Has one son, Bryson, who will be one in July
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Riley and her husband love to explore what Kansas has to offer
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She is very excited to see what this school year will bring at Wichita Friends School
Ms. Whitney, Preschool 4-year-old Teacher
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4th year at Wichita Friends School
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2nd year in Pre-K, teaching 4-5 year olds
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Graduated from Southwestern College with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education
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Loves working at WFS with the warm, loving family environment as a part of each day
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Lives in Mulvane with three children: Makenna, who is 19 and a full-time student at Kansas State University, Kaden, who is 17 and pursing a welding certificate, Ella who is 12 and a 7th grader at Mulvane Middle School
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Enjoys spending time with her children and their activities
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Enjoys baking, watching movies, and swimming
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She is excited to see what this school year will bring at Wichita Friends School
Ms. Kelsey, Preschool 3-year-old Teacher
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3rd year of classroom teaching at WFS. Six years of previous home daycare work
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Is our Preschool Program Director with state licensing
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Teaches in the 2 ½ - 3-year-old classroom
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Likes working at WFS because it is a fun and family-oriented atmosphere
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Being at WFS never feels like “work”
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Loves being around kids as they just bring so much fun and joy to life
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Enjoys spending time with her 4 children; son 10, daughter 3, and 20 month old twins- a boy and a girl
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Loves spending a great of summer at the lake
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Loves watching oldest son play all his favorite sports
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Lover of coffees
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Fun fact: Her favorite movie is Twister and she has viewed it over 100 times.
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Enjoys going to garage sales
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Loves playing cards and board games
Ms. Jeanne, Library Teacher
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Ms. Jeanne has a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Wichita State University
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Is licensed to teach K-9, Early Childhood, ESL, and K-12 Library Media
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Comes to us with 40 plus years teaching in Wichita Public Schools: K-3 Classroom, Special Reading Resource, and Library Media
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She is married with 1 daughter, 3 sons, 1 granddaughter, and 5 grandsons.
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She and her husband love spending time with their grandchildren. They are history buffs who enjoy historical fiction, documentaries and museums
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Has a deep love for books and reading
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The thrill of seeing/hearing children getting excited about reading is her greatest joy
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Fun fact is that she loves music, especially The Beatles
Ms. Julie, Administrative Assistant/Paraprofessional
• No stranger to WFS. Worked at WFS in the fall of 2019 as a para until 2022
• Married to husband Jaden 5 years October 2024. Has a beautiful daughter named Lilly (3) who will attend WFS preschool, and a bonus son Cooper (10)
• Loves early education and helping children.
• Has a passion for hair. Graduated from Eric Fisher Academy in 2012 and is licensed. After having Lilly she decided to open her own Bridal Hairstyling business and continues to work weddings.
• Absolutely loves the outdoors! Does a lot of 4 wheeling and going to the lake when possible.
• Is excited to get to know the new families!
Ms. Amy, Paraprofessional
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Bachelor's Degree in Education from Newman University.
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Taught first grade for seven years in Wichita Public Schools.
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Was a stay-at-home mom for 13 years.
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Loves spending time with her husband and two high school teenagers.
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Enjoys walking by the lake with their new puppy Elliot.
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Favorite past time is working out with friends at the gym.
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Loves shaping the hearts of students and passing knowledge to younger generations.
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Feels it is amazing watching kids grow and change over the course of a school year.
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Cannot wait to have fun and help WFS kids grasp and learn new concepts.
Ms. Ana, Paraprofessional
• Has two daughters ages 4 and 3 who will be attending WFS.
• Used to live in California but moved to Kansas about four years ago.
• Pursuing a Bachelor's degree at Western Governors University.
• Hobbies include playing games on PC, baking, reading, building lego sets and paint by number.
• Has a passion for childhood development and uses her experience as a volunteer at Valley Children's Hospital to connect with children and their families.
• Has two dogs, Noelle (Australian Shepherd mix) and Junior (Black Lab mix).
• Enjoys listening to podcasts, such as Science Vs and Therapy Gecko, to pass the time.
• Family loves to travel together and explore fun new places and try unique dishes.
• Is fluent in Spanish and enjoys learning new languages.
Ms. Dalene, Building Services
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Dalene came to WFS after many years in the Goddard school district as a reading para and in nutrition services.
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She works early each morning to manage our custodial work, keeping our building clean and looking nice.
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She loves being around children and helping them learn.
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She feels that God led her to WFS and that she is right where she supposed to be.
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Enjoys being outdoors working, walking, or riding a bike.
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Loves to garden and crochet.
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A fun fact is that she loves lemonade – all flavors.
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Dalene makes jean quilts for the Street Ministry and crochets hats, scarves, and blankets for the Dorcas ministry at her church.
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Dalene is raising two sons with her husband, David, and has been active in their sports and band competitions.
Ms. Leisle, Financial Manager
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1st Year at Wichita Friends School
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Graduated from Bethel College with a Bachelors in Business Administration and an emphasis in Accounting
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Graduated from Friends University with a Bachelors in Elementary Education
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Worked in corporate business for a year and a half as a financial accountant
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Has worked in the education setting for 4 years as a 1st grade teacher
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She is married and has 3 boys under the age of 4 and they are the joy in her life
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She loves spending time with her large family, especially at the lake and sporting events
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She enjoys baking, camping, all sports, and anything outside
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She is very excited to join the WFS family!
Mr. Matt, Marketing and Classroom Sub
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Holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Business
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Works in marketing at WFS, keeping our social media up to date and developing slogans for the marquee sign as well as other things
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Has worked as a para at WFS and some part time custodial work while going to college
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Played varsity soccer at Newman University, where he is now an assistant coach while working on his Master’s degree
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Enjoys playing soccer and visiting coffee shops
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A fun fact about Matt is that he is from England.
Ms. Connie, Enrichment Volunteer
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Joined WFS 14 years ago as an enrichment teacher, leading weekly Worship time, teaching Godly Play and Faith & Play Bible stories, and teaching our music enrichment class.
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Is a member of Heartland Friends Quaker Meeting, where we have all-school worship time each Wednesday morning.
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Guides our SPICES curriculum that focuses on Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality and Stewardship.
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Retired from a career in higher education and a secondary liturgical music career as church organist and children’s music minister.
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Educational background: B.A. in English Education from Southwestern College, Master’s in Community Counseling from Appalachian State University, Faith Formation Certification in children’s ministry from the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina.
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Hobbies include quilting, directing and arranging music for a handchime choir, Yoga, gardening.
Ms. Patrice, Enrichment Volunteer
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I love the bright eyes and wiggly children of WFS. I came to sign language thanks to a son who is deaf. I made my career interpreting in classrooms and training others to do the same. I’m looking forward to seeing your child’s hands do some talking. Ask them to show you a sign that they learned in our class time together!