Our Facilitators - Shiminly

Alfoncina

Alfoncina is a recent graduate from the University of Kent. She received her bachelors in Spanish and Management, and she has been teaching online since 2018 alongside her studies.
She is passionate about languages and she speaks English, Shona, Spanish and Portuguese and wants to learn even more langauges. Alfoncina strives to ensure students are always engaged and supported in class. She creates a safe learning environment where students can explore their ideas, challenge themselves and most of all be their best self. She encourages her students to empower themselves and grow intellectually.

Why Shiminly? Alfoncina coaches and supports students to improve their English skills through effective communication. Shiminly is a space where students can participate in structured activities and discussions, thus leading them to become multifaceted individuals in a changing world. The support amongst colleagues truly makes working for such a unique organisation even more worthwile. Shiminly is a powerhouse!

Mr Ben

Benjamin is from the state of Oregon in the United States. He has taught English as a Second Language for over three years. He also has worked as a residential boarding school advisor, summer camp teacher, and substitute teacher for music and English classes. Benjamin has degrees in Anthropology and Journalism and has been involved in making short documentaries. His background is evident in my inquisitive teaching style. He also likes meeting students and encouraging them to make their own personal stories which is crucial to their learning.

Mr Chris

SPAIN

My name is Chris Litherland and I come from Dumfries and Galloway in the south of Scotland.

I worked as an Assistant Director of Studies with Move Languages Ahead, an Italy-based English language school which uses Task Based Learning as its primary mode of education. Prior to that, I served as a senior teacher at Academia Camden and Hello English in Spain, and as a group leader for Erasmus+ projects in Europe. I have over ten years of experience as a teacher in China, Hungary, Italy, Spain, India, Bangladesh, and with Shiminly. In 2019 I began a Diploma in Teaching English as a Second or Other Language. I learned a great deal about theories of learning and teacher development and am currently enrolled in a Master’s in Education with a focus on Educational Leadership.

I have extensive experience working online with many companies operating according to many different methodologies. I am with Shiminly because its philosophy of education aligns very much with my own. I believe that, in an ever-changing world, students’ needs are best met in an open, friendly and creative environment, in which the teacher’s role is to empower students to learn, rather than to dictate what and how to learn. At Shiminly, with its focus on core skills, inquiry-based learning and projects, I believe I can help to motivate facilitators to create the best lessons possible and that we can work together successfully as a team.

Ms Diana

SOUTH AFRICA

As a seasoned Online ESL & Business English Trainer at Shiminly, Diana Mokokobale Makgopa leverages her interdisciplinary background in Theatre and Performance, combined with her TEFL certification and forthcoming CELTA qualification, to craft immersive learning experiences that foster linguistic mastery and cultural competence. Her expertise in communication and language instruction is complemented by a proven ability to facilitate collaborative dialogue, creative problem-solving, and empathetic understanding.

At Shiminly, Diana is inspired by the organization’s commitment to holistic education, recognizing that language acquisition is inextricably linked to personal growth, social responsibility, and global citizenship. She is dedicated to contributing to Shiminly’s mission of bridging skill gaps and empowering learners with the adaptive resilience, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking skills necessary to navigate an increasingly complex world. Through her teaching, Diana strives to cultivate a sense of community, creativity, and inclusivity, ensuring that every student feels seen, heard, and supported in their learning journey.

Mr Eric

SWEDEN

Eric, a graduate from The University of Oxford, an assistant professor at Lund University in Sweden, Europe, offers a unique approach in getting to know English language, English as a life skill, English way of thinking, English culture and global mindset. Eric obtained his Bachelor’s degree in TESOL and his Master’s degree in Historical Linguistics. Eric is a PhD candidate (research in the field of Proto-Indo-European language development). Eric has worked at the university position for five years and remotely for eleven years. His vast experience mirrors the fact he has students from all parts of the world including: Japan, China, Indonesia, India, UAE, Turkey, EU countries apart from his university students.

Why Shiminly? Eric’s point of view is that Shiminly is a company which looks much further in the future than many other companies. Not only does Shiminly offer great possibilities for its students, but in fact it truly does what it says! Without a shadow of a doubt, Shiminly provides a genuine experience for both the teachers and the students. The experience unlike any other.

Mr Evan

SOUTH AFRICA

Evan is an educator from South Africa with 21 years of teaching experience at secondary and tertiary levels. He holds a Masters Degree in Marketing and English language teaching certifications which have allowed him to teach in South Africa, Saudi Arabia, China, and the UAE. Whether teaching face-to-face or online, he embraces technology to enhance lessons and facilitate learning. He strives to relate to his students and make the learning process relevant to learners.

Why Shiminly? Shiminly teaches students necessary life skills which can be applied in each and every aspect of their daily lives – not just at school but also in a broader sense. Each lesson is built on a solid pedagogical approach geared towards 21st-century learning. .

Justin

With eighteen years of international teaching experience in diverse educational settings, Justin is a seasoned educator. His career, primarily with leading nonprofit organizations in major American cities, notably New York City, laid the foundation for his journey as an international educator. Justin is dedicated to fostering life skills and empowerment through education, teaching a range of subjects including English, nutrition, geography, environmental studies, service learning, and martial arts.

Holding certifications as an eating psychology and kung fu coach, he is passionate about sharing knowledge, especially with young individuals, viewing it as a profoundly rewarding endeavor in life.

Why Shiminly?
Upon discovering Shiminly, Justin felt an overwhelming sense of excitement. Shiminly, aligns seamlessly with his extensive educational background, focusing primarily on life skills and empowerment—areas he has passionately taught throughout his career. Having transitioned to online teaching in 2019, Justin has developed a deep affection for this mode of instruction. He highly appreciates Shiminly’s exceptionally creative, thoughtful, and engaging lessons, which resonate with both students and educators alike. The synergy between the valuable, practical content and Justin’s professional background presents a perfect alignment.

Lindsay

Lindsay, an experienced Shiminly facilitator hailing from the United States, comes with a background in teaching Mathematics at the high school level. Her journey in education led her to explore opportunities abroad, particularly in Indonesia. During her time there, she honed her teaching skills and expanded her horizons. Now, Lindsay has shifted her focus to a thriving online teaching career, dedicated to nurturing young minds worldwide. She holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education, with a strong foundation in Mathematics.

Why Shiminly? Lindsay firmly believes that today’s children face immense academic pressure, often neglecting essential life skills in the process. Shiminly presents a unique opportunity for children to not only excel academically but also develop a well-rounded skillset that will serve them throughout their lives. Through Shiminly, Lindsay is passionate about helping children learn and appreciate topics often overlooked in conventional educational settings.

Ms Lois

SOUTH AFRICA

Lois is from the beautiful country of South Africa. She is bubbly and has five (5) years of online teaching experience. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science where she majored in Psychology, Sociology and Palliative Care from Damelin College, in South Africa. After obtaining her Bachelor’s degree, she started her online English teaching journey back in 2019. Being a versatile educator, she has had the opportunity to teach an academically and socially diverse group of students. She enjoys eating delicious food, traveling around her beautiful country and watching movies.

By integrating exciting technology, meaningful manipulative and cooperative learning projects, she has been able to provide students with a well-balanced educational experience which promotes academic, social, and cognitive. She is passionate about helping others reach their full potential. She creates a fun and safe environment for students to be themselves, grow, and ask questions if need be.

Why Shiminly? Stumbling upon such a platform created a new sense of belonging as this aligns with what she had studied and is passionate about. It is a unique platform that promotes skills to grow outside academia by providing life skills to students which in turn creates the next generation of lawyers, doctors, chefs, etc.

Mr Martin

SPAIN

I am an experienced English teacher with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from the University of Sunderland and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Liverpool John Moores University. I have taught English both online and in person for over ten years, working with students from countries like South Korea, Turkey, Colombia, and China. My teaching style is supportive and hands-on, and I focus on helping students grow both academically and personally. I am committed to creating an inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive.

Why Shiminly? I am interested in Shiminly because it values global citizenship and cultural understanding, which are important to me as a teacher. Shiminly’s mission to connect cultures through language learning aligns with my belief that education should help students see the world from different perspectives. I am excited about the chance to work with an organisation that prioritises personalised education and supports students in meaningful ways.

Mary

Canada

Mary is a compassionate and highly educated teacher with over ten years of experience as an educator in diverse communities and as well as online. She has a master’s degree in education and is a Certified Teacher for grades K-8th grade in both Regular and Special Education. Mary holds a 120-hour TESOL certification for ESL and has taught online as an ESL teacher for five years. Mary is a student’s greatest cheerleader and through patience and motivation, a student will gain confidence in their abilities.

Why Shiminly?
Shiminly utilizes a multi-manipulative approach to learning that addresses different learning needs. Mary’s beliefs are aligned with Shiminly’s mission that learning should be fun! Students need to be self-motivated and operate independently with support and motivation along the way. Mary believes that students should be well-rounded in various areas to thrive in any setting, and Shiminly will get them there.

Mr Max

Hello! My name is Max Kirkman. I am an educator with over ten years of international education experience. I have a firm commitment to teaching and learning across cultural contexts. My career in education began in the United States and has taken me to Turkey, China, and Malaysia. I have worked in a wide range of educational settings, from international schools to universities, and have taught a variety of core subjects. I have supported students from many different cultures and diverse backgrounds. Additionally, I strengthened my foundation in the field of education and expanded my understanding of cross-cultural educational exchange while earning my master’s degree in Education from the University of Nottingham. I look forward to continuing to pursue a path of education that transcends borders and cultural differences.

There are many reasons why Shiminly is great. To begin, I am a strong believer in the Inquiry-based learning methodology which encourages students to ask questions and investigate real-world problems to come to solutions independently. Inquiry-based learning supports students while they learn the necessary skills needed to become the movers and shakers that will make a difference in the future. Furthermore, cross-cultural exchange and global citizenship are crucial in today’s interconnected world. When students engage in cross-cultural education and develop a global citizen mindset, they are better equipped to collaborate globally, drive innovation, and build peaceful, cooperative societies in the future.

Melissa

With a distinguished career in coaching and learning development spanning over two decades, Melissa brings a wealth of experience to nurture personal and professional growth. Specializing in creating inclusive and dynamic environments, Melissa provides tools and techniques for ultimate success, guiding teachers to leverage strengths and proactively address blind spots, fostering innovation, developing effective learning strategies and promoting continuous development for individuals and teams.

Melissa tailors impactful learning experiences that drive personal and professional growth, ensuring support for aspiring professionals. Devoted to inspiring individuals to embrace lifelong learning and become strategic leaders, she is on a mission to create thriving environments through education, development, and personal empowerment.

Ms Nikki

SOUTH AFRICA

Nikki is a patient and passionate teacher. She encourages questions in her lessons, and she loves to help her learners grow and learn. She has a lot of experience teaching English, having lived and worked abroad for more than 6 years. Her teaching journey started in Vietnam, took her through Thailand and China, and finally to the wonders of online teaching. She has learned a lot about different cultures, food and interesting traditions, but at the same time understands the challenges and difficulties of learning a new language. She has a degree in sport science and a postgraduate degree in teaching. She absolutely loves teaching English and believes that learning takes place while we are active and having fun in a safe space. Nikki believes that a little motivation can go a long way, and that there is no substitution for hard work.

Why Shiminly? Shiminly creates an opportunity to interact and connect with learners from a different part of the world. Facilitators and learners have the chance to create fun and engaging ways to motivate, learn and discuss fascinating topics. The lessons focus on valuable life skills that can prepare learners for life after school, while still learning and conversing about things that form part of everyday life. Nikki believes ‘critical thinking’ and ‘learning by doing’ is the best way for learners to improve. She incorporates this into her lessons to make it fun and interesting, encouraging learners to participate and think for themselves.

Nina

South Africa

Nina is from beautiful, sunny South Africa, where she currently lives. She has worked in many different industries and gained worldly experience living and working abroad. Having experienced various work environments, she knows her true passion and purpose lies in education. She has experience in remedial teaching and facilitating of all age groups, from toddlers to teens, university students to high powered professionals and government officials. In her sessions, she is her student’s biggest cheerleader. She is enthusiastic, patient, dedicated, dependable, high-energy, flexible, encouraging but most of all loads of fun! She believes the more fun and engaging the lessons, the more students retain information. She loves teaching because she is able to connect with people from all walks of life. She takes pleasure in getting to know students, understanding their needs and helping them achieve their goals. She believes that knowledge is power and empowering others to know their full potential is what it’s all about.

Why Shiminly? Because it feels like home. Nina wants to make a difference. Bringing awareness to self-development skills in others is her ‘Why’. She believes that awareness is where it all begins and with Shiminly she can help inspire personal growth for individuals to reach their full potential.

Patrice

Jamaica

Patrice has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in modern languages from the University of the West Indies in Jamaica. During her studies, Patrice received intensive training in language, linguistics, literature, translation, and interpretation.

Education has long been a passion of Patrice. Her teaching journey began after completing her degree in 2011. She also has over 15 years of experience in the performing arts, having trained in several groups in music, dance, and drama. Over the years, teaching has afforded Patrice the opportunity of interacting with students of varying ages, backgrounds and cultures across different continents and regions, such as Europe, North America, Asia and the Caribbean.

Why Shiminly? Patrice believes in the Shiminly vision. Shiminly is a forward-looking company that sees beyond the academical side of education and seeks to equip its learners with the skills necessary for survival in our future world.

Ms Rubmi

SOUTH AFRICA

Rumbi is an enthusiastic and driven educator dedicated to cultivating inclusive and dynamic learning environments. With a double major degree in Business Management and Sociology, a Cambridge teaching qualification and ongoing studies towards a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, Rumbi combines a robust academic background with over seven years of practical teaching expertise. Her professional journey includes valuable experience working with diverse students, including children and refugees in Australia. She has a deep cultural understanding and commitment to creating a welcoming and empowering educational space.

Why Shiminly? Rumbi is drawn to Shiminly’s innovative approach to education, which aligns with her belief in holistic learning. She values Shiminly’s emphasis on not only academic excellence but also the development of essential life skills. Excited to contribute to a platform that fosters well-rounded, future-ready students, Rumbi looks forward to leveraging her diverse experiences and pedagogical skills to support Shiminly’s mission and make a meaningful impact.

Mr Russ

AUSTRALIA

Russ is a passionate academic with extensive teaching experience. He is proficient in English, Russian, Spanish, and Portuguese, as well as culturally sensitive with a deep understanding of the education sector. He obtained his master’s degree from Moscow State University of International Relations, Russia’s top diplomatic school. Russ has a PhD in history and politics from the University of Melbourne, the highest-ranking university in Australia. He is working on his academic monograph. Russ is also a CELTA-certified English teacher and is passionate about helping students achieve high scores in the IELTS test as well as pursue further studies and vocations.

Why Shiminly? Russ enjoys teaching and writing to help others understand the importance of skills in helping students achieve their goals.

Mr Slav

ITALY

Slav is an English language teacher with experience teaching a wide range or ages, levels and nationalities, with experience teaching both online and in person, working across various summer camps across England. He is also pursuing a Bachelors degree at the Open University, in England to help him progress in his teaching career.

His professional experience includes working for the NHS both as interpreter and clerical officer, and his professional qualifications include the Cambridge Celta, an internationally recognized teacher training certification moderated and accredited by Cambridge assessment English. He also provides 1-to-1 private esl lessons and tutoring to teenagers of different skill levels.

Why Shiminly? Slav believes that Shiminly presents children with the opportunity to learn something that can equip them with essential skills aimed at preparing them for their post-education life, and believes that providing children with such skills is essential in order to prepare them for their adult life, and help them thrive in today’s world.

Stacy

Stacy is from the United States and the Marshall Islands. She has a bachelors’ degrees in History and English and a master’s degree in Documentary Filmmaking from NYU. She started her teaching journey in South Korea and has since traveled the world, working with students of all ages. She likes making documentaries and teaching as she loves the process of discovery. How exciting it is to be there at that lightbulb moment when a student understands a new concept or idea, then creates something new and shares it.

Ms Tahsin

I graduated from the University of the West of England in 2014 with a BA hons degree in English language and English literature having studied linguistics, discourse and the role of language in society, and literature focusing on romanticism, the works of Shakespeare and modernist literature.

Education and teaching has always been something that has appealed greatly to me and I genuinely love building a strong rapport with all of my students. I have over 6 years of online teaching experience. I started working for an online teaching company by the name of itutorgroup in 2017 and worked there for over 5 years. In the process I had the chance to teach and meet hundreds of children of all ages and of varying academic backgrounds. From 2022 onwards I worked briefly as an online English teacher for a company called tutorabc. In my 6 years of teaching I was able to really ascertain the approach to guiding these young learners, what it entailed, and how to motivate them so that they were ready and equipped for the outside world.

Why Shiminly? I believe all teachers have a responsibility to provide students with an enjoyable, authentic and safe teaching environment where they are able to thrive and express themselves without fear. Shiminly is unique as it offers the best of both worlds, enabling students to flourish academically but to also gain key skills that can be implemented in our day to day lives which play just as essential a role as traditional academia.

Mr Thabo

ITALY

Thabo is a South African living in Italy, where his love for meditation, fitness, and staying active is central to his lifestyle. With extensive experience as a Cambridge English teacher, both locally and internationally, he has a deep passion for teaching. His work has allowed him to connect with students from various cultures, something he finds incredibly rewarding. His love for travel drives him to explore new places and embrace different perspectives, which he integrates into his teaching approach. In the classroom, he creates a dynamic and culturally rich environment, helping students not only improve their English skills but also expand their worldviews. Engaging with students from diverse backgrounds inspires him to continue making a positive impact through education.

Why Shiminly? Shiminly’s focus on personalized, student-centered education aligns perfectly with his teaching approach. Its dedication to preparing students with practical skills for real-world challenges is impressive. Shiminly’s strategy, which emphasizes building resilience and improving career readiness, is essential for future success. This forward-thinking approach matches his commitment to nurturing adaptable and capable learners, making Shiminly an ideal collaborator for reaching his educational objectives.

Our International Facilitators - Your Co-Teacher

Shiminly Facilitators are Certified Educators and Subject Matter Experts

Meet Our Global Facilitators

Ms. Alfoncina

UK

Mr. Ben

US

Mr. Chris

Spain

Ms. Diana

South Africa

Mr. Eric

Sweden

Mr. Evan

South Africa

Mr. Justin

US

Ms. Lindsay

US

Ms. Lois

South Africa

Mr. Martin

Spain

Ms. Mary

Canada

Mr. Max

US

Ms. Melissa

US

Ms. Nikki

South Africa

Ms. Nina

South Africa

Ms. Patrice

Jamaica

Ms. Rumbi

South Africa

Mr. Russ

Australia

Mr. Slav

Italy

Ms. Stacy

US

Ms. Tahsin

UK

Mr. Thabo

Italy

Our Trained Facilitators Bring Cultural Diversity and Global Awareness to Your Classroom

Collaborate With a Facilitator to Create Excitement and Increase Student Engagement

Partner with Our Facilitator to Expand Global Perspectives and Encourage Diversity of Thought in Your Classroom

Together We Can Develop Global Citizens Who Will Make a Positive Impact in the Classroom and Beyond

Join Our Global TeamTeach Anywhere, Anytime!

Alfoncina

Mr Ben

Mr Chris

Ms Diana

Mr Eric

Mr Evan

Justin

Lindsay

Ms Lois

Mr Martin

Mary

Mr Max

Melissa

Ms Nikki

Nina

Patrice

Ms Rubmi

Mr Russ

Mr Slav

Stacy

Ms Tahsin

Mr Thabo

Melissa

Life Skills Education (LSE) Professional Development 14 Hour - Advanced Course

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Our International Facilitators -
Your Co-Teacher

Join Our Global Team
Teach Anywhere, Anytime!

Life Skills Education (LSE) Professional Development
14 Hour - Advanced Course

Life Skills Education (LSE) Professional Development
5 Hours - On-Demand Course

International Scholar Preparation
Masters Course

International Scholar Preparation
Undergraduates Course