Sabrina Sakhai

From a young age, I’ve loved the process of learning — the curiosity that drives it, the challenge of problem-solving, and the sense of clarity that comes after working through something difficult. This love of learning made it hard to ever “pick a favorite” subject in school, as I truly found joy in exploring all of them. Over time, that curiosity gradually evolved into a passion for education and for building spaces where all students can feel supported and engaged in their learning process. I graduated from Barnard College at Columbia University with a degree in Cognitive Science and a specialization in Decision Science. Cognitive Science allowed me to delve deeper into what I’ve always been most curious about — how we think, learn, and make sense of the world around us. Through its combination of psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, and computer science, I gained a comprehensive understanding of how the mind works. My specialization in Decision Science allowed me to explore the factors that shape our choices, and how our reasoning, emotion, and brain interact to influence the decision-making process. This background continues to shape how I go about my day and how I tutor. When I’m tutoring, I focus on meeting each student where they are and finding creative ways to make abstract concepts feel concrete and intuitive for each individual student. I love seeing something begin to click for a student and watching their belief in their own ability grow over time. I aim to create an environment where students feel comfortable expressing their challenges, because that is where the real work happens. Together, we identify patterns in their thinking, build on strengths, and develop strategies that turn uncertainty into understanding. Outside of tutoring, you can often find me with a soccer ball as a lifelong soccer player and sports enthusiast. I also enjoy reading, music in all its forms, puzzling, dogs (of course), and board games — especially backgammon.