Hi! I’m Kristin Shoemaker, and I’ve spent the last 30 years doing what I love most—teaching. I focus on helping people build practical language skills for everyday life through structured, level-based English language classes.

 

My path into English teaching began in 2007 when I started volunteering with language learners. This experience inspired me to pursue formal training in Applied Linguistics through the MA-TESOL program at Hamline University, along with earning a Cambridge English Language Teaching Certificate.

 

Before becoming an English teacher, I was a music teacher! I studied Music and Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University, then went on to earn my Master's and Doctorate in Music from the University of Minnesota. Music and language have a lot in common—both use patterns, rhythms, and sounds to express ideas. This has helped me focus on rhythm, flow, and expression when teaching English.

 

I’m also passionate about making education accessible through technology. I’ve been teaching online since 2008, and in 2011, I helped the MacPhail Center for Music (the largest community music school in the U.S.) launch their online teaching programs. I’ve shared my experiences at national conferences, and my research has been published in the Journal of Music, Education, and Technology.