Owner | Curriculum Developer | Professor | Educator
Born in the soulful state of Louisiana but raised among the vibrant rhythms and rich cultures of the Caribbean, Sharon Pierce Shappley’s world was multilingual before she even understood what that meant. As a young girl, she soaked up the dialects, songs, and traditions of her surroundings like a sponge. While other children played games, Sharon was fascinated by the way people spoke, the words they used, and the meanings behind them. That curiosity, quiet and constant, would evolve into a lifelong love affair with language—and a mission that would take her across continents and classrooms. From the beginning, education wasn’t just something Sharon received; it was something she pursued with relentless passion. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Social Science with a concentration in Education and a minor in Child Development, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2011. But that was just the beginning. Her hunger for knowledge couldn’t be contained in one degree. Sharon went on to earn her Master of Arts in Education (MAED)—a critical step that not only deepened her understanding of pedagogy but ignited her desire to contribute something original to the world of learning. That dream became reality in 2022 when she officially received her Ph.D. in Education. Her groundbreaking dissertation on adult second language acquisition was more than academic theory—it was a culmination of years of hands-on experience, cultural immersion, and academic grit. The journey wasn’t smooth. COVID-19 disrupted everything—universities shut down, formatting guidelines changed, and uncertainty loomed. But Sharon adapted. She transformed every obstacle into an opportunity, rewriting chapters, mastering digital research tools, and proving once again that resilience is the real key to success. Her first real teaching experience began in 1974, helping students in Puerto Rico who struggled with English in traditional classrooms. What started as local tutoring became a full-blown global mission. Over the decades, Sharon has taught in more than a dozen countries—from Russia to Vietnam, India to Spain, and across the United States. Each classroom, each student, each culture added layers to her understanding and empathy. Her passion wasn’t limited to teaching English—she also taught Spanish, making language her universal passport.
In 2003, while still pursuing her bachelor’s degree, Sharon began crafting a level-based English curriculum tailored to individual student needs. This wasn’t a textbook solution—it was a living, breathing educational tool, built with care and tested in real classrooms. Over the years, it evolved into a full-fledged learning system with over 900 custom-developed lessons, now available online to students worldwide. Sharon’s platform doesn’t just teach English—it transforms lives by giving learners the confidence and tools to engage with the world. Today, Sharon is at the forefront of launching an ambitious English-learning software designed to meet European language acquisition standards. With ten proficiency levels (A1–C2) and modules customized for five different age groups, the platform offers fifty diverse courses and even a 7-day free trial to make learning accessible to all. This is no small feat—it’s the product of decades of wisdom, creativity, and heart.
Behind the scenes, Sharon’s dedication is awe-inspiring. Armed with handwritten notebooks, a laptop always by her side, and a mind brimming with ideas, she works tirelessly to perfect every lesson. And yet, she doesn’t walk alone. Her journey is buoyed by a network of collaborators, friends, and family who support her with both technical fixes and emotional encouragement. When burnout looms, she recharges through travel—especially cruises that offer space for reflection—and through her love for music, theatre, ballet, and hockey. Education isn’t just Sharon’s profession; it’s her soul’s purpose. Her students are more than learners—they’re partners in discovery. Weekly Zoom calls turn into mini-communities, where laughter, collaboration, and real-time feedback shape the evolution of her teaching tools. Her learning management platform, built through trials and triumphs, is constantly enriched by the voices of those it serves. Even in moments of rest, Sharon is multitasking—celebrating Passover while uploading course content, testing new LMS features during holiday cruises. Her excitement for discovering new tools and features is palpable. This, she says, is how she thrives: with passion, persistence, and “a little help from my friends.”
But perhaps what makes Sharon truly extraordinary is that she isn’t doing any of this for profit alone. Her heart beats for equity in education. Her vision is clear: to break the barriers of geography, class, and language so that anyone, anywhere, can learn English—and transform their life in the process. Her approach combines strategic thinking with a deeply human touch. She listens. She evolves. She leads with both grit and grace. Sharon is also an advocate of technology—not as a gimmick, but as a genuine bridge to better learning. She constantly reworks her presentation designs, integrates fresh student feedback, and pushes herself to think bigger, better, and bolder. Her motivation? The magical moment when a student finally “gets it”—when light replaces confusion, and confidence takes root.
That motivation is deeply personal. Sharon often thinks of her grandmother, who only made it to the third grade and spent her life regretting the opportunities she missed. Sharon’s mission is a tribute to her—a vow to make sure no one else is left behind because of circumstance. Every lesson she teaches is a seed planted for future generations. Her work is a living legacy. The COVID-19 pandemic, while devastating, became a turning point. As the world shut down, Sharon stood up. She quickly pivoted to digital, coaching fellow educators, managing multiple screens, grading online, and transforming her virtual classrooms into places of connection, fun, and deep learning. She introduced contests, spelling bees, even cooking sessions to make online learning joyful. Amid grief and global disruption, her students kept showing up—and so did she.
Out of crisis came clarity. Sharon realized her true strength wasn’t just in teaching but in creating learning ecosystems that endure. Her classroom never closed—it simply expanded. Today, her story is proof that education, when done with love, can survive anything. For the next generation reading her story, there’s a powerful lesson: your beginnings don’t define your future. Whether you’re learning English for the first time or dreaming of a Ph.D., Sharon’s journey shows that with curiosity, hard work, and compassion, anything is possible. Because in the world of Sharon Pierce Shappley, language is more than words—it’s a bridge to dreams, a path to freedom, and a tool for transformation.