Meet Our Teachers
Dr. Shelly Hoffman, Head of School
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3rd year at WFS as Head of School
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Has been in education for over 30 years at the elementary level as well as at the college level
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Feels God has placed her at WFS to do His work
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Loves teaching and working with students of all ages
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Lover of sports and athletics
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Married with 5 children; four sons and one daughter. Three are married and a soon to be 4th wedding this fall.
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Nana to seven (and one on the way this fall) grandchildren who light up her world
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Enjoys watching her grandchildren participate in ANY activity
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Enjoys many types of music
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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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4th 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. Bridget - Kindergarten Teacher
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Bachelor's in Early Childhood Unified, Wichita State University
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Taught Pre-K and taught for 4 years
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Taught first grade past 3 years and this year will be teaching kindergarten at WFS
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Loves working with young children and watching them grow
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Hobbies include cross-stitching, sewing, knitting, and a love of baking
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A fun fact is that she model stitches for a small company and has done this for a magazine for over 15 years
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Married to husband Jim, who works in aerospace
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Has 4 daughters: the oldest daughter is married and has three daughters; another daughter still lives at home and works for Walmart; the third daughter is studying at WSU; and the youngest is in the eighth grade at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.
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Enjoys spending time at a cabin in Arkansas when she has free time
Ms. Whitney, Preschool 4-year-old Teacher
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3rd year at Wichita Friends School
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Last year taught Kindergarten and this year will be teaching Pre-K, working with the 4-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 will be working at WFS as a para and attending Cowley College; Kaden, who is a sophomore at Mulvane High School; and Ella who is in 6th grade at Mulvane
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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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Second year of classroom teaching. 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 9, daughter 2, and 8 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
Ms. Jeanne has a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Wichita State University. She is licensed to teach K-9, Early Childhood, ESL, and K-12 Library Media. She comes to us with 40 plus years teaching in Wichita Public Schools: K-3 Classroom, Special Reading Resource, and Library Media. 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. She loves music, especially The Beatles! She, also, has a deep love for books and reading! The thrill of seeing/hearing children getting excited about reading is her greatest joy.
Ms. Makenna, Paraprofessional
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1st year at WFS working as a para
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Recent high school graduate and will attend Cowley Community College while working at WFS
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Plans to attend KSU and study Interior Design in the very near future
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Very excited to work with our students and get to know them
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Her mom is Ms. Whitney, so she has spent a great deal of time at WFS already helping out in the classroom.
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Enjoys doing crafts and DIY projects
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Enjoys spending time with friends and family
Ms. Dalene, Paraprofessional
Dalene comes to WFS after many years in the Goddard school district as a reading para and in nutrition services.
She works as a para part time at WFS and also helps with custodial work, keeping our building clean and looking nice.
She loves being around children and helping them learn.
She feels that God led her to WFS and that she is right where she supposed to be.
Enjoys being outdoors working, walking, or riding a bike.
Loves to garden and crochet.
A fun fact is that she loves lemonade – all flavors.
Dalene makes jean quilts for the Street Ministry and crochets hats, scarves, and blankets for the Dorcas ministry at her church.
Dalene is raising two sons with her husband, David, and has been active in their sports and band competitions.
Ms. Gracie, Financial Manager
Gracie Rodriguez has been with WFS as our Financial Manager since 2011. Gracie received certification as a Computer Programmer from Electronic Computer Program Institute (ECPI) in Chicago, IL and earned an Associate’s Degree with emphasis in Managerial Accounting from Butler County Community College, and a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resources from Avila University. Other certifications include membership of the Society for Human Resource Management and several Leadership Achievement Awards from the National Association of Community Health Centers, Inc. Community involvement includes fundraising for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and other charities within the community. Family is her greatest joy which includes her husband, four grown children, sixteen grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
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 12 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!