Class act: English teacher Kristiane Stapleton

New English teacher Dr. Kristiane Stapleton grew up on the other side of the world in Batam, Indonesia, where she turned to books instead of electronics.

Stapleton’s father worked in the oil industry, which required the family to move around the globe multiple times. She was born in Singapore and eventually settled on the rural Indonesian island of Batam. The family moved to Stavanger, Norway, when Stapleton was in 7th grade in order to receive European citizenship. As she traveled around the world, one thing remained constant.

“I have always been a really big English geek,” Stapleton said. “I have read voraciously my entire life.”

In rural Batam, she didn’t have television, so reading was her main form of entertainment throughout childhood. Her passion for reading and English is still very apparent.

“I could be an English teacher for the rest of my life and be happy,” Stapleton said. “I love what I do.”

Sophomore Julia Hoff notices how spirited Stapleton truly is about her job.

“She’s going to push us in writing,” Hoff said. “She’s very passionate about reading, especially Shakespeare and Jane Austen.”

Stapleton attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison for graduate school. She especially loved the feel of the small town, and will always have fond memories of that community. Stapleton has found the same sense of community at St. John’s.

“You get the sense that everyone really enjoys the time that they’re spending here,” Stapleton said. “That’s something that really means a lot to me and that I really enjoy being a part of.”