Shapiro (née Kopul) Yelena Ilyinichna (29.05.1931, Khabarovsk) — teacher. Born into the family of a military construction worker (father a native of Berdyansk) and a homemaker (Augusta Vladimirovna, née Koblents, a native of Krustpils). Her father was arrested in 1938 as an enemy of the people, spending 1.5 years in detention, after which on 16 October 1944 he received a posting to Riga.

From spring 1945 to 1948, Sh. studied at Riga 15th Secondary School. In 1948–53, studied at the University of Latvia, specialising in Russian language and literature.

From 1953, taught at the Maritime School in Vecmīlgrāvis. In 1954–63, taught Russian language and literature at Riga 44th School. In 1963–93, worked on preparatory courses at the University of Latvia. In 1994–98, taught Russian language and literature at the Purvciems Classical Gymnasium in Riga.

In 1998, moved to the private Latvian Waldorf School, where she worked until 2007 as a Russian language teacher. In 1995, became one of the co-founders of the Latvian Association of Teachers of Russian Language and Literature (LATRYaL). Active LATRYaL member, organiser and active participant in many scientific-practical conferences of teachers of Russian philology.