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8th Grade Team
TEACHER / TEAM LEADER / LANGUAGE ARTS
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Degrees and Certifications:
Bachelors in Elementary Education K-9 specializing in Middle Level Language Arts Master in Curriculum & Instruction: Effective Practitioner Pre K-12 Kansas State University (Go Cats!) Emporia State University
Diana Kluba
I'm Mrs. Kluba, or Mrs. K. I have been teaching ELA at Allison my entire teaching career because it’s the best middle school in Wichita. Go, Eagles! I absolutely love my family and friends, reading, writing, music, traveling, shopping, and going to concerts. I enjoy spending time with my husband, my daughter Alexandria, my golden retriever Murphy, and my three-legged cat, Ray. I believe all of my students can succeed in Language Arts as long as they try. In my classroom we read a lot. I believe that if you aren’t much of a reader yet, you just haven’t found the right book yet. I will help you find that great book! Staying positive, being kind, and having a sense of (sarcastic) humor are my three superpowers.
I love colorful pens, cookies, ice cream, almonds, fruit, veggies, kettle cooked chips, coffee, unsweetened tea, and plain seltzer water.
TEACHER / LANGUAGE ARTS
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Degrees and Certifications:
BA in History and Communication Studies MA in Comparative History University of Kansas Chinese University of Hong Kong
Jay Blackford
Hi, I'm Mr. Blackford.
I teach 7th and 8th grade English Language Arts here at Allison. I have taught Social Studies and English from grades 6 to 12 in Wichita, Turkmenistan, Hong Kong and Suzhou, China. I was born and raised in Wichita, but have lived and taught in Asia for a spell. My family and I recently returned from China and are glad to settle into life back in Wichita.
I like running and have completed 17 half-marathons and counting. I also enjoy trying out new foods and cooking new recipes. I have eaten camel, horse milk, and palm grubs, to name a few of the stranger foods I've tried. Don’t knock it until you try it!
TEACHER / LANGUAGE ARTS
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Degrees and Certifications:
BA in Education Minor in Leadership Studies Kansas State University
Erin DeRee
It's Mrs. DeRee! I love cats, books, new school supplies, and anything that betters the world. Language Arts and AVID are my JAM! You will usually find me curled up with a book or cheering on my Kansas State Wildcats. In the words of Albert Einstein, "Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think!"
I have completed the 25 Book Campaign every year I have worked at Allison!
I like Twix, strawberry cupcakes, anything chocolate, Chex Mix, Cheetos, almonds, macadamia nuts, school supplies, La Croix, Propel, and coffee.
TEACHER / MATH
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Degrees and Certifications:
BA in Communications BA in Elementary Education with Middle School Math Endorsement MEd in Curriculum and Instruction Wichita State University Southwestern College
Betsy Bellinger
I am a proud Wichitan and love finding fun new things going on around our city. On the weekends, you'll often find me spending time outdoors with my family at the lake, hiking, camping, swimming, biking or just hanging on my patio. My two teen girls do their best to keep me updated on the newest trends, dance moves, and catch phrases. I love to travel, go to concerts, and attand football and basketball games.
Oh, and I survived teaching my 15-year-old how to parallel park.
I love chocolate! Bonus points for chocolate and peanut butter together! I also love chips, nuts, snack mixes, and trail mix.
TEACHER / MATH
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Degrees and Certifications:
BA in AG Education with Middle School Math Endorsement Driver's Education Kansas State University Wichita State University Emporia State University
Dan Walter
My name is Dan Walter, and I am the 8th grade mathematics teacher for algebra and pre-algebra. I have been teaching at Allison for 25 years and have enjoyed each and every one of them.
I am also a real estate investor. I own rental properties, including houses, duplexes, four-plexes, and an RV storage business. I enjoy using my math skills in business and sharing my knowledge with students. I was born and raised on a farm in Princeton, Kansas. I also enjoy hanging out on the lake with my wife Rebecca, daughter McKenzie, daughter Courtney, and son Camden.
TEACHER / SCIENCE
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Degrees and Certifications:
BA in Sociology BS in Education UT San Antonio Newman University
Lori George
Proud mother of three children, two dogs and 1 cat! I love to be outside in my yard, read, watch a good series and vacation in the mountains. Most of all, I love my job!
I completely gutted and remodeled my house! I love power tools, homemade cookies and pie, dark chocolatedark chocolate, animal cookies, and Starbucks dark roast coffee or chai tea latte!
TEACHER / SCIENCE
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Degrees and Certifications:
Bachelors in Kinesiology Masters of Arts in Teaching Masters in Building Leadership University of Arkansas Fort Hays State University
Joseph Root
I'm married with three unique kids that keep me extremely busy. I also have five dogs that I spend time with training along with raising chickens and jumbo Bob White quail. I enjoy life and all that it has to bring each and everyday. I love the fact that I get to work with young individuals and look forward to getting to know all of them and their unique personalities. My room is always open to any students during the day.
This past summer, I drove 3000 miles in 3 days to deliver seven of my Wirehair Pointing Griffon pups!
I like oatmeal butterscotch and any candy bar without coconut, popcorn, homemade deer jerky, pepper sticks, and snake sticks. Maxwell house coffee has been my morning drink since 1985, plus I kind of like diet water! I also love whatever my wife makes for me!
TEACHER / SOCIAL STUDIES
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Degrees and Certifications:
Bachelors of Arts in History/Government Education and Christian Spiritual Formation Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning Friends University
Allison Houston (McElroy)
My days are spent scoring on the pickleball courts, playing live trivia, getting lost in books, cuddling with the dog, and most importantly: waiting for the curtain to open at my local movie theater! I have been to 4 of the 7 continents! Asia, Australia, and Antarctica are still on the list!
My favorite things are Boom Chicka Pop, flavored seltzer water, coffee, small potted plants, and puzzles.