Caecilia Shapiro

Biography

I’ve been tutoring professionally for almost twenty years, starting in high school and continuing through my time at Thomas Aquinas College in Southern California. I began working primarily with K–8 students and in special education, and over the years I’ve expanded to a wide range of subjects—from algebra and the SAT to AP English and college essay writing. I’m proud to be part of the AJ Tutoring team, where I serve as the Saratoga office director, mentor fellow tutors, and share my love of learning with students and colleagues alike.

At Thomas Aquinas College, I earned a Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts, double-majoring in philosophy and theology with a minor in science and mathematics. Classes there are conducted Socratically and focus on the Great Books—the works that have shaped Western civilization—and that discussion-based approach still informs how I tutor. I want students to feel confident in what they know, while also comfortable asking questions and exploring new ideas.

No two students learn the same way, and I enjoy finding the method that works best for each individual. I’ve worked with a wide variety of learners, including students with dyslexia, autism, ADHD, and OCD.

Outside of tutoring, I’ve been involved in over twenty theater productions in roles ranging from acting and directing to music, lighting, and production. I also love reading, painting, woodworking, and hanging out with my cat, Ralph.