Language Arts

Mr. Anderson believes that being able to read, write, and speak effectively using SEE (Standard Edited English) is a crucial component of being successful in all walks of life! He enjoys reading, spending time with his family and dogs, playing sports, traveling, camping, and fishing. Mr. Anderson is entering his 19th year in secondary education.

“There is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state with another, nothing more. He who has felt the deepest grief is best able to experience supreme happiness.”

Math

Ms. Barron believes that school is all about the student. Her goal is to support students in building perseverance in their work and confidence in asking questions. Being able to know when to continue to work on something and when to ask for help is an important life skill to have. She realizes not all students like math, but her hope is that every student will find a portion of math they can be good at and move on from there; math can be fun!

Social Studies | Math | Middle School 101

Mr. Jonathan Belsan is in his eleventh year of teaching, all spent here at Coleman. He is passionate about Social Studies topics in general, but especially loves teaching World Geography. This year, he’ll be teaching 8th grade Algebra as well. Mr. Belsan also coaches Wichita Academic League (WAL) and the Boys Track Team. He believes it is important to empower students with the ability to succeed at whatever they set their mind to. Mr. Belsan loves to spend time outside! From camping and hiking to whitewater rafting and adventure racing, he loves it all! His faith and family are very important to him, and his four children (fifth due in December) keep him busy with all sorts of activities!

Building strong relationships is important to Mr. Belsan, which is largely summed up through this quote: "Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody."

🏆 Mr. Jonathan Belsan received the 2021 Distinguished Classroom Teacher Award in the Middle School Teacher category!

Math

Mrs. Christner firmly believes that all kids can learn and that there is great power in the word "yet." You may not understand it YET, but you will get there if you keep trying! She enjoys playing board games with her family and friends. She loves traveling and making wonderful memories in the summer with her family.

"If at first you don't succeed, you're normal." -Kid President

Language Arts

Ms. Davis has a high level of excitement and energy for making a difference for her students! And that passion is ever-growing! It is important to her that reading intervention is a student-centered learning environment where students are actively engaged and take ownership of their reading success. Ms. Davis is very involved with her family and has a rowdy Jack Russell Terrier that keeps her busy! She enjoys KU basketball, Chiefs football, and Yankees baseball. She loves attending sporting events, traveling, READING, gardening, and spending time outdoors. If you have questions about Coleman’s reading intervention program, please feel free to contact Ms. Davis. She appreciates your involvement and support!

“If you teach a child to read, you have done your job. If you teach a child to love to read, you have changed their life forever.”

Mr. Deabler’s students work on many things in his ELA classes. Along with developing their writing, reading, analyzing (written and verbal), and communication skills, students will be working on their people/personal skills (showing up on time, being prepared for class, asking questions, showing respect...just to name a few) as well. It is a very competitive world, so a big part of Mr. Deabler’s job is to teach and model academic and non-academic lessons and skills to get them ready for the next school year. Mr. Deabler enjoys playing the guitar and bass guitar, photography, graphic arts, drawing, and painting. He also loves to read and watch all types of movies. He has an English Bulldog named Fred and a Mini Dachshund named Maggie that are a constant joy in his life. This is Mr. Deabler’s 31st year of teaching and he still loves it!

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen." -Winston Churchill

Science

Ms. Gross strives to engage students and help prepare them for their futures. She plays tennis, dances Zumba, hikes, bikes, and enjoys reading, listening to music, spending time with friends, and watching TV.

“Teach others to love.” -Monica Gross

Social Studies

Mrs. Houston loves to focus on preparing students for high school and beyond. Her content is exciting and fun to teach, but life skills and study skills are her passion. Helping students learn time management, accountability for their actions, and effective communication is her goal! Mrs. Houston’s favorite thing to do is go to the movies. She loves when the lights go dark and getting caught up in a great (or not so great) story. She also loves reading, going to concerts, watching great TV, listening to podcasts, renovating her house, playing video games, spending time with family and friends, and going to local restaurants! See you at the movies! Mrs. Houston’s coffee order is an iced americano with oat milk!

"For there is always light,

if only we’re brave enough to see it.

If only we’re brave enough to be it."

-Amanda Gorman

Newcomer Language Arts

Mrs. Pate knows that every student has their own unique talents, skills, and background. By getting to know her students, she finds the learning styles that works best for them, now and throughout their education. Mrs. Pate loves spending time with her family! They watch a lot of softball, baseball, and football. She also enjoys reading a good book.

“The way we talk to children becomes their inner voice.”

Science

Ms. Praught focuses on being flexible and doing her best to tailor to students’ individual needs and learning styles. She believes it is important to teach with joy so her students are engaged and her classroom is a safe space for her students. Ms. Praught enjoys softball, hiking, and exploring new places.

Language Arts

Mr. Schaef wants students to know they are cared about as people and unique individuals. He believes quality education can help students overcome a number of circumstantial obstacles in life and that while education involves learning to read, write, etc., it should also develop students of sound character and empathy. When Mr. Schaef is not working, he loves spending time with his wife and kids, being active outside, and reading.

"Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education.” -Martin Luther King Jr.

Newcomer Math

Mrs. Thorpe believes in the power of, yet! “I can't do it...YET.” “I'm not good at this...YET.” “I don't know how...YET.” “I don't get it...YET.” We never stop learning and growing! We can all do hard things, so let's support and encourage one another as we work toward our goals. Mrs. Thorpe enjoys traveling, scrapbooking, spending time with her family and goldendoodle, Teddy. This is her 26th year with Wichita Public Schools and her first year at Coleman. She is excited to be here and support students as they G.R.O.W.

"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." -Albert Einstein