Who is Natalie Shapero from Jeopardy? English Professor’s Age, Job, Family & More
Natalie Shapero is an accomplished poet, professor, and editor based in Los Angeles, California, with a prominent role in contemporary American literature. She currently teaches as an English professor at the University of California, Irvine, where she guides students in literature and creative writing, fostering both analytical and creative skills. Previously, she served as Professor of the Practice of Poetry at Tufts University, shaping the work of emerging poets through workshops and literature courses.
Beyond her teaching, Shapero serves as editor at large for the Kenyon Review, contributing to one of the nation’s most respected literary journals. Her editorial work, combined with contributions to publications including The New Yorker, The Nation, The New Republic, Poetry, and The Progressive, reflects her influence in shaping contemporary literary discourse.
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Education and Legal Background
Born in Chester, Pennsylvania, Shapero pursued higher education in both creative writing and law. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Writing Seminars from Johns Hopkins University in 2004 and a Master of Fine Arts in Poetry from Ohio State University in 2008. She further expanded her expertise by earning a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Chicago in 2011. During this period, Shapero worked as a litigation fellow and later as a civil rights lawyer with Americans United for Separation of Church and State. This legal training complements her poetry, instilling structure, discipline, and analytical rigor in her creative work.
Poetry and Literary Achievements
Shapero’s poetry is recognized for its edginess, depth, and emotional intensity. Her first collection, “No Object,” appeared in 2013, followed by “Hard Child” in 2017 and “Popular Longing” in 2021, with her most recent work, “Stay Dead,” published in 2025. Her poems frequently explore themes of isolation, human insensitivity, and interactions between people and animals, employing humor and metrical precision to create a distinctive voice.
Her accomplishments have been recognized with numerous awards, including a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, a Ruth Lilly Fellowship, a Kenyon Review Fellowship, and the Great Lakes College Association New Writers Award. These honors underscore her contributions to contemporary poetry and highlight her standing as a respected literary voice.
Teaching Style and Public Engagement
Shapero’s approach to teaching balances structure and creativity. She encourages students to draw on unconventional sources, integrating rhythm, iambic pentameter, and cultural references such as recipes, jokes, song lyrics, and advertisements. Colleagues describe her as intellectually curious and dynamic, blending rigorous instruction with engaging, often provocative methods.
Outside the classroom, Shapero actively participates in poetry readings and literary events across the United States, performing at venues such as The Pulitzer Arts Foundation and The Poetry Project at St. Mark’s. Her public engagements demonstrate her commitment to connecting with audiences and advancing the appreciation of contemporary poetry.
Personal Background and Influence
Shapero has lived and worked in multiple cities, including Chester, Pennsylvania; Washington, D.C.; and Boston, Massachusetts, before settling in Los Angeles. Likely of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, her experiences and education inform both her creative and academic pursuits.
Through her teaching, editorial work, and poetry, Natalie Shapero has established herself as a prominent figure in American literature, bridging the creation, analysis, and performance of poetry. Her career exemplifies a combination of intellectual rigor, artistic vision, and commitment to nurturing the next generation of literary talent.
