Languages

Crystal Cannon

With over 30 years of experience teaching French in public schools, Crystal Cannon has devoted her career to instilling a deep appreciation for the French language and culture in generations of students. Her passion for all things French was shaped by time spent living and studying in some of France’s most culturally rich cities: Nice, Lyon, and Royan. Each location deepened her love of the language, its regional nuances, and the diverse traditions that define French identity.

Outside the classroom, Crystal continues to nurture her connection to Francophone culture through travel, literature, and community involvement. She currently serves as the vice-president of her local French teachers’ organization, where she helps support professional development and cultural exchange among educators.

When she’s not teaching or volunteering, Crystal enjoys reading French literature, exploring new destinations, and spending quality time with her two daughters, who share her curiosity and zest for learning. Her lifelong dedication to language, culture, and education continues to inspire her students and colleagues alike.

Marcella Corona

Marcella Corona was born and raised in Italy, where she completed her education and did extensive travel. At the age of 22, Marcella moved to the United States, embarking on a journey with no prior knowledge of the English language. Remarkably, she mastered English by watching Sesame Street and other children’s programs alongside her children. She would later go on to achieve her associates degree.

A self-taught seamstress, Marcella specialized in crafting wedding gowns. She has held numerous professional positions, including managing her own travel agency. She has curated and led land tours for 30 years, offering travelers an authentic experience of Italy.

As a speaker and an Italian language instructor, Marcella shares her passion for Italy with engaging presentations that bring Italian culture, history, and travel to life. Leaning on her vast experience with the Italian culture, she hopes to inspire a love of the Italian language in her students.

In addition to teaching the Italian language, Marcella also enjoys teaching line dancing, which she has done since 2009.

Kim Dalrymple

Explore Mandarin with Kim

Since childhood, Kim was always fascinated by foreign languages, so it was natural for her to major in German while an undergraduate at Indiana University.  Not content with just one way to speak, she began to learn Chinese at the same time, and voilà!  Her future life course got under way! 

After graduating, she went to Taiwan to sharpen her language skills and promptly fell in love with the people and their way of life.  That’s why she lived in Taiwan and China for the next seven years, learning Chinese and teaching English.

Following her return to the States, she studied for an M.A. in Chinese literature at the University of Michigan.  When she received her degree, she discovered language teaching was her real passion, so she embarked on her next adventure:  teaching Chinese at Schoolcraft College!

Kim had so much fun in her classes that she decided to write a textbook, called Dancing with Dragons:  Leap into the Chinese Language.  She recently completed it and now uses it as her Number 1 resource to teach Schoolcraft College students.

With Dancing with Dragons in hand, Kim shows learners how to carry out everyday tasks, such as greeting people or ordering dishes in a restaurant.  She also clearly and animatedly explains culture, grammar, and pronunciation.  She ushers in a panoply of upbeat practice activities, too.   And in her Level 2 class, she begins to introduce the captivating features of Chinese characters.

Regardless of what she is teaching, Kim wants her students to feel happy and relaxed and learn in an environment most favorable to them.  That’s why she offers a hy-flex class, allowing students to choose whether to join her in person (at the college) or on Zoom (from the comfort of their own homes).

Either way, there is only one prerequisite for Kim’s class:  to get ready for fun — no matter whether a student’s future includes the Great Wall of China or the boardroom of a Chinese company!

Gina Hernandez

Gina Hernandez grew up overlooking beautiful Mexico City. She loves the rich culture, history, and language of Mexico and has dedicated her life to helping others share in this passion. Gina is a Spanish Instructor for PPL and has more than 20 years of teaching experience. Having attended the University in Mexico City and acquired her bachelor’s degree in Computer Science with a specialty in teaching, she taught at the university level there. 

Combining her computer science and teaching knowledge, Gina creates a very logical, systematic approach to learning Spanish, while keeping classes fresh and exciting. It is not unusual for Gina to burst out in a popular Spanish song and use it to create listening skills. She will have the class create stories where everyone contributes in Spanish. Whether songs, stories, or lively games, Gina makes learning Spanish both interesting and fun.

Gina empathizes with people learning a second language. “I understand the feelings and effort necessary to achieve the goal of learning a new language since I experienced them firsthand when I learned English. I encourage my students to not be afraid to make mistakes, as this is all a natural part of learning a new language. It is just important to try your best, and eventually, it will click, and you will be understanding and speaking Spanish like I do in English. If I can do it, so can you,” Gina stresses.

Since Spanish is her first language, she gives tips on how Spanish speakers from different countries communicate and how some words vary in different regions so students will be equipped to speak Spanish wherever they go. “People discover a new world of possibilities, music, and culture when they learn a new language, and I really enjoy that. There is so much to learn!”

In her spare time, Gina loves restoring furniture, gardening, and woodworking. She spends time with her family, her friends, and her two dogs. Gina teaches Spanish II and III at Schoolcraft.