Mary Vitali

Biography

Born and raised in Fresno, I moved to East Bay for my undergraduate degree at UC Berkeley. While I initially planned to study engineering and minor in English, I quickly ended up transferring to Comparative Literature after discovering a passion for learning languages. 

After graduating, I worked at an antiquarian bookshop and tutored K-8 students in reading and writing, and was lucky to spend a year living in Munich through the Fulbright Grant. Moving back to the Bay for graduate school, however, felt like returning home.

Teaching reading and composition courses was my favorite part of graduate school, and I am happy to bring my experience to AJ Tutoring. Seeing students develop a passion for literature and a sense of confidence in their own voice as a writer is immeasurably rewarding. Working one-on-one ensures that students receive the attention and tailored feedback that they need for success, regardless of initial skill level. 

My goal as an instructor is to create a comfortable atmosphere where students feel empowered to take chances, follow their intellectual curiosities, and expand as independent thinkers. These critical thinking skills, and the ability to translate their thoughts into clear and effective writing, are an invaluable foundation for any path they might take in the future.

Outside of teaching and academics, I enjoy playing piano, watching trashy TV with friends, and spending as much time as possible outdoors, whether gardening, hiking, or just reading a book on the patio while my beloved doofus tuxedo cat pretends to be a wild tiger.