Teachers and Staff

Kristyn has a master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction in TESOL and has taught English in a variety of settings in the US and abroad. She especially enjoyed being an international student and English teacher while living in Japan. Meeting people and sharing stories are her favorite parts of working in international education. In her free time, she enjoys reading, drinking good coffee, and exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her family.

Miwako was raised in Kumamoto, Japan. She has master’s degree in TESOL and has taught ESOL classes. She has a passion for the field of international education and worked as the Assistant Director of the Office of International Students at The University of Texas at San Antonio before moving to Oregon in 2015. She loves reading, crocheting, and walking with her dog.

Andrew earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Goshen College, and later a Master of Education degree with a focus in teaching English learners from the American College of Education. His teaching journey began with a semester abroad in China, teaching English to high school and middle school students. After graduating, he returned to China to teach English at the university level. Back in the United States, Andrew taught English at elementary schools in Indiana before relocating to Portland. In his free time, Andrew enjoys board games and fantasy novels.

Courtenay holds the Cambridge CELTA, which she earned in London, and has taught English to adults in Russia, California, and Oregon, as well as online to students in Ukraine. She began her teaching career in Kaliningrad, Russia, teaching high school students, government officials, and maritime academy students. In San Francisco, she led a job training program for adult immigrants, teaching workplace English and helping students prepare for employment. She co-founded Scientific Adventures for Girls, a STEM education nonprofit, and is currently Executive Director of Portland Literacy Council, which trains volunteer tutors to support adult learners in ESOL and Literacy programs across the Portland area. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley and a Master’s degree from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. Her favorite part of teaching is watching students gain the confidence to use English in their everyday lives. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and exploring the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two teenage children.

Diane has a Master of Arts degree in linguistics with a specialization in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. She has taught in West Africa, Michigan, and Colorado. She is married and has two children. She and her family enjoy visiting beautiful places in Oregon and camping at national parks in the US.

Lily has a Master of Arts in Linguistics from the University of Colorado Boulder. She grew up in Portland but lived in and traveled to many other places before moving back to Oregon in 2017. She is married and has three kids. Lily enjoys traveling, camping, and hiking with her family.

Natalie holds an Advanced TESOL Certificate from Multnomah University and is currently completing a Master’s degree in TESOL & Intercultural Studies at Wheaton College, expected in May 2027. She has taught Community ESOL in Portland, and led English events for youth in Estonia. Natalie is also a music teacher with a degree in Music Education and Performance. She cannot think of a better combination than language and music. Her favorite part of teaching is working creatively to help others achieve their goals. Natalie’s free time is often spent with family or at church.  Reading, making music, and indoor rock climbing are her favorite hobbies.

A native of Portland, Oregon, Sarah Shoemaker has taught English and French for over 25 years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, a Master of Arts in Teaching degree in French, and a Magistère in French language, literature, and civilization from the Sorbonne in Paris. She has traveled extensively, usually for work or study. She has taught English in Switzerland and West Africa and French in US high schools and colleges. Her interests include playing the piano and singing in a university choir.

Sonya has a Master of Arts degree in TESOL from Portland State University and has taught English in Thailand, Estonia, and the U.S. She enjoys exploring other cultures and languages. She likes to sing and is learning to play the cello. Twice a week she can be found paddling up and down the Willamette River with her dragon boat team.

Steve has a Master of Arts degree in TESOL as well as a Bachelor of Arts in history. He lived for several years in Japan teaching English and greatly enjoys spending time with international students. Among his favorite activities are reading, travel, discussing ideas, and collecting good stories.

Ximena is a Marketing student with a minor in Entrepreneurship. She is originally from Arizona, enjoys connecting with students from around the world, and learning about their cultures and experiences. Ximena enjoys trying new restaurants, searching for the perfect cup of coffee, or enjoying a good matcha.