About

Mission: Build safer, stronger workplaces through language connection.

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Approach:

  • Convenience: We meet your teams where they work by joining virtually at times that fit your shifts.

  • Curriculum: Practical, interactive lessons for safety, signage, tools and everyday communication.

  • Confidence: Gain clarity with supervisors, co‑workers and clients, strengthening morale and retention.

Impact Highlights:

  • 100% of participants would recommend the class

  • 100% understand more when supervisors speak English

  • Over 90% feel more confident speaking English

Founder & CEO, Karla Yatckoske:

  • Award-winning bilingual educator

  • 20+ years’ experience

  • B.A. in Spanish, Illinois teaching certificate, MBA from North Park University

Awards & Recognition:

  • Chicago Innovation Award Nominee (2023-25)

  • FedEx Entrepreneur Fund (2025)

  • Marshalls Good Stuff Accelerator (2025)

  • Skip Instant Grant (2024)

  • Tech Enablement Grant, Polsky Center (2024)

  • Verizon Small Business Grant (2022)

  • Sunshine Enterprises Microgrants (2021–23)

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Our mission is connection. We believe that when people understand each other, safety improves, productivity grows and everyone feels like they belong. That’s why we design language programs that fit real schedules and real worksites.

Convenience means we teach at times that work for you—via Zoom—so no one has to miss a shift.

Curriculum means lessons built around the language your teams need, from reading safety signs to talking with supervisors and clients.

Confidence means employees feel comfortable asking questions, clarifying instructions and communicating with co‑workers, which leads to higher morale and better retention.

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Our impact tells the story.

In a recent survey, 100% of participants would recommend the class to a co‑worker, 100% said they understood more when supervisors spoke English and over 90% felt more confident using English on the job.

Karla Yatckoske, Founder and CEO, has spent more than two decades teaching languages and designing training that feels personal and practical.

She holds a B.A. in Spanish, an Illinois Elementary Education certificate and an MBA from North Park University.

Her work has earned support from the FedEx Entrepreneur Fund, Hello Alice, Marshalls Good Stuff Accelerator, Skip, the Polsky Center, BMO, Sunshine Enterprises, Verizon and others.

Clients describe Karla as

“welcoming, funny and engaging,” “a safe and supportive teacher” and “a master at meeting you where you are while challenging you to grow.”

One participant summed it up beautifully:

“I am grateful to the people who make this possible. Thank you.”

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Get to know the visionary behind Uplifting Melodies Tutoring and see why companies trust us to deliver language training that works.

Meet the Founder

I’ve always believed that education should be personal, practical, and empowering.

My journey began as a volunteer tutor, where I discovered the joy of helping others learn to read, speak, and grow with confidence.

That passion led me to pursue my teaching certification—and eventually, to launch Uplifting Melodies Tutoring.

In the early days, I supported both children and adults across a wide range of subjects. But I quickly saw the power of tailoring instruction to each learner’s goals, environment, and lived experience.

As I gained more experience, I began working with adults in the trades—people who were smart, capable, and deeply committed to their work, yet often not given the language tools they needed to fully shine in their roles.

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I saw an opportunity to serve in a new way.

Today, Uplifting Melodies Tutoring focuses on workplace English for companies in construction and manufacturing.

Our virtual ESL classes help employees communicate more clearly, work more safely, and feel more confident on the job.

What hasn’t changed is our commitment to care, clarity, and community.

Whether we’re supporting early-morning shift workers or helping supervisors better connect with their teams, every class is designed to meet people where they are—and move them forward, together.

~Karla Yatckoske, Founder and CEO

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