Meet Our Team

Shaksham Thapa

Center Director

As Center Director, Shaksham leads the operations and education for Sylvan of Manhattan Beach and El Segundo. A former Project Manager, Shaksham chose a career in the tutoring business because it ties in his background together with his passion for small businesses and the community. He studied at Andhra University, India, for his MA in Economics and at the University of Delhi, India, for his BA in Economics. When Shaksham isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find him spending time with his wife who is pursuing her PhD at UCLA.

Amber Castillo

Executive Director

Amber Castillo oversees the educational integrity of our programs, managing and training our team of tutors. Amber is a California-credentialed Multiple Subjects teacher who taught grades 1-5 for eleven years. An Air Force veteran, she graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Master’s in Human Relations and from Boston University with a Bachelor’s in Linguistics and minors in International Relations and Mathematics. When Amber isn’t at Sylvan, you’ll find her with her family appreciating the arts and outdoors.

Angelica Tipon

Tutor

Angelica is a tutor in El Segundo and Hermosa Beach with a passion for working with kids. She studied at Loyola Marymount University to obtain her Masters of Arts in special education, and then continued her studies at the University of California, Los Angeles to secure her Education Specialist credentials. She has an abundance of experience teaching and aiding in schools including La Ballona Elementary School, Richmond Street School, and Towers Elementary. Outside of Sylvan, Angelica enjoys adventuring and traveling!

John Farley

Tutor

John is a teacher in El Segundo and Hermosa Beach, CA. He has a knack for helping students make connections between their learning and their everyday lives. He is especially fond of reading and literacy education. John has an extensive tutoring and teaching background, and is also currently a fourth-grade classroom teacher. When not teaching at Sylvan, John enjoys playing music and singing, as well as walking and traveling.

Elizabeth Ruiz

Tutor

Elizabeth is registered behavioral technician (RBT) for the Wiseburn School District who recently completed her masters program in Applied Behavioral Analysis. She graduated from the University of California, Irvine with her degree in Education Sciences. She has special expertise in math and reading and likes to make learning a fun experience. When Elizabeth isn’t at Sylvan you’ll find her reading a good book or with her family eating delicious foods.