The Community Classroom Teachers
Get to know the team of teachers who have the experience and the knowledge to help achieve any set of educational goals.
Certified
Talented
Experienced
Passionate
We’re Not Actually Tutors. We are Teachers Who Tutor.
With over 340 years of collective teaching experience, The Community Classroom tutors are some of the most talented educators available. They are all licensed and certified, they all come with peer and parent letters of recommendations, they are highly functioning, and they are simply incredible people.
We invite you to learn more about some of amazing our educators below.
Interested in becoming a Community Classroom tutor? Click here.
Amazing. Brilliant. Charismatic.
%
Have Master's Degree
%
Speak Multiple Languages
%
Teach at the College Level
Average years of teaching experience
Our daughter, who consistently complains about anything math-related, has thrived with her play-based math tutor. She is having so much fun, she doesn’t even realize she’s learning!
Dr. Megan Allen, NBCT
Chief Learning Curator
Megan Allen is the founder and chief learning curator at the Community Classroom. She offers adults and students alike academic coaching, tutoring mentorship, and tutor/student matching. To learn more about how and why she founded The Community Classroom, click here. She is a National Board Certified Teacher who has worked in several roles in education, including 10 years as an elementary school teacher in Florida. She was also the director of the Master of Arts in Teacher Leadership at Mount Holyoke College, where she envisioned, pitched, and developed two graduate-level programs to support teachers across the world in their informal and formal leadership capacities.
Jay Bright
Math
Like many others, Jay’s experience with math began as a child. Although it took her a long time to make sense of concepts, she enjoyed the journey of getting there. She was not a memorizer, therefore she had to make sense of the math in order to make it through. Her home life involved a lot of board games and play-based activities. Looking back, she is certain this is why she ended up seeing success in mathematics. She majored in mathematics and later completed a Masters’s in Mathematics Teaching. Throughout her journey, she’s discovered the value and importance of play. Most recently she’s been digging into learning more about how the brain learns through play. She’d like to focus on promoting productive struggle and sharing thinking through rigorous math tasks. Jay is a play-based math specialist.
Juan C. Casares
Spanish
Danielle Goua
English, Pre-K
Danielle is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College and has taught PreKindergarten and Kindergarten in Washington, DC. She is currently a first grade English Language Arts Teacher at Malcolm X Elementary for Washington DC Public Schools.
Kate Halsey
Academic Coaching
Kate provides services for students, families, schools, and educators that bridges educational support and mental health. She specializes in individual coaching for youth in the areas of executive functioning and resilience development. Her work also supports families who are navigating the needs of neurodiverse learners including educational testing and school and college board accommodations. She partners with schools to provide professional development for staff as well as offer individual support for teachers. Her work in schools most recently has focused on resiliency coaching to support emotional wellness as teachers are facing incredible adversity as they transition back to school either virtually or in-person. Kate has a BA from Carleton College in Northfield, MN and an MSW from Southern Connecticut State University. She worked as a licensed clinical therapist at the Yale Child Study Center providing in-home therapy for youth and families and at UPenn’s Center for Trauma and Recovery providing individual and family therapy for youth with PTSD.
Chris Holmes
Writing, Academic Coaching
Dr. Amy Hewett-Olatunde
Reading, Writing 4th-12th Grade
Dr. Amy Hewett-Olatunde has been an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher for the St. Paul Public Schools in St. Paul, Minnesota since 1999. She teaches at Humboldt Junior and Senior High School. She teaches levels 1-4 academic and creative writing and 6th grade ELA, is an instructional coach and sits on the Leadership Team, Equity Team, Literacy Leadership Team, and ESL Team. She is also a building union steward. Amy has also taught adult, workforce, secondary, and post-secondary graduate and undergraduate English learners and pre-service mainstream and ESL teachers. In addition to her current role as a full-time ESL teacher at Humboldt High School and Middle School and Administrative Intern, she has worked at Hamline University and the University of St. Thomas in the Advanced Degrees, Certificate, Licensure, Additional Licensure and CUE Program (The CUE program has been responsible for recruiting persons of color and persons with unique cultural, ethnic, language and urban backgrounds into teaching professions in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area.) since 2007 both as a professor and supervisor. She serves on multiple capstone, as well as dissertation committees. She also works for SupportEd, LLC as a facilitator for online ESL development courses.
Dr. Daniele Massey
Math 6th-9th Grade
Daniele has over 15 years of experience as a classroom teacher, virtual teacher, mentor, instructional coach, teacher leader, and educational consultant at the district, state, and national levels. Dr. Massey is the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) 2013 Teacher of the Year and works to empower teachers, leaders, and community members to advocate for an equitable learning environment for all students. Currently, Dr. Massey teaches at the DoDEA Virtual High school. Her career also involves teaching at Fayetteville Technical Community College, University of Mary Washington, and as a professor in practice at Mount Holyoke College. Dr. Massey is a military spouse and mother of two adventurous and aspiring young leaders. Anaya (17) and Amira (10) keep her moving and shaking every day!
Dr. Jen Matos
Academic Coach, Reading, Writing
Jen is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology and Education at Mount Holyoke College, in Massachusetts. She is also the director of middle, secondary, and the arts teacher licensure programs. Her specializations are Latinxs in education, women’s education, social justice education, and LGBT2Q issues in education. She serves as the program director of ¡Científicas Presente!, a summer STEM program for girls in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Matos is interested in the role of equality and liberation in learning communities. Jen is a certified high school teacher and the proud parent of an eight-year-old.
Dana McDonough
Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st Grade
Dana believes that every child has a story to tell and encourages all children to unpack their stories as they find their way in the world we live. Dana wants all children to believe that their voice is valued and heard. This is Dana’s 28th year of teaching and coaching in the primary grades. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in education from Mount Saint Mary College. She is currently a primary teacher in Newburgh, New York. Her total teaching career has been in Newburgh. She has taught and given back to the community where she was born and educated. Dana values these words “Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.” Dana has embraced virtual instruction and is successful in reaching and engaging students. She realizes that families and teachers create an amazing team that is unparalleled. Dana was awarded the distinctive title of the 2016 New York State Teacher of the Year. Dana realizes that this award was not possible without all the students and families that she has had the privilege of knowing and educating.
Mary Phillips
Reading, Elementary Education
Mary is a graduate from the University of South Florida where she received her B.S. in Elementary Education and then her M.Ed. in Educational Leadership. She comes to us with over 17 years of educational experience as a teacher, literacy specialist, administrator, district instructional coach, and consultant. Mary is bilingual and has a deep passion for English Language Learners. She currently serves as a K-5 ELA Consultant for the NC Department of Public Instruction where she is thankful for the opportunity to serve teachers across the state in the area of curriculum and instruction. Her desire to impact students’ lives is at the heart of everything she does and looks forward to empowering students and families to be the best versions of themselves!
Abby Wicker
Math, General Elementary
Abby started working in public education 15 years ago. She’s worn many different hats, from classroom aide, substitute teacher, 1:1 paraprofessional, theater director, tutor, camp director, and finally classroom teacher. Abby has a B.A. in Education and Psychology from Mount Holyoke College and will be graduating this summer from their Masters of Arts in Teaching Mathematics program. During the summers for the last decade, Abby has been the director of Summer Performing Arts Exploration, a theater camp for kids going into 5th-8th grade. During the school year, Abby works as a 3rd-grade classroom teacher in Brattleboro Vermont. She likes to integrate theater and her appreciation for the outdoors into her classroom. Abby loves working with kids of all ages, because of the opportunity to learn something new every day!
Carly Baldwin, NBCT
Biology, Chemistry
Carly is a National Board Certified Teacher who spends her days teaching Chemistry at Boyd County High School in Ashland, Kentucky. She also worked as an Effectiveness Coach for the Kentucky Department of Education, supporting districts in K-12 science instruction. She has published articles describing her teacher leadership journey in Kentucky Teacher. Carly is a proud 2015 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching Award winner.
Tricia Caliento
Academic Coach, Elementary
Tricia is currently an Academic Interventionist and was previously a 5th-grade general academics teacher. Tricia also served as an Assistant Cheerleading Coach and manager of the School Store. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Liberal Arts at Emmanuel College in Boston and her Masters of Arts in Teaching (MATL) at Mount Holyoke. Tricia is a proud homegrown teacher, teaching in the same school system she attended K-12.
Karrisa Fabin
Karrisa holds a Masters in Library Science and Technology from Simmons University and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary and Special Education from Bay Path University. She has over 20 years of teaching and tutoring experience in grades PreK-12 with a focus on special education needs. She has expertise in both the traditional classroom setting and also with virtual remote schooling. In addition to certifications in Library K-12, Elementary K-6, Special education PreK-12, and a pending Instructional Technology certification, Karrisa is also certified through the Virtual High School Collaborative. Her extensive background in technology, research, and reference skills ensures that pedagogy keeps pace with new educational technologies and applications. When Karrisa is not trying to keep up with her two energetic boys, she likes to unwind with the latest Jodi Picoult book.
Caitlyn Conley
Reading, English
Cait is a graduate of Westfield State University’s Theatre program and has an MFA in English from Bay Path University. Cait spent her post-college years acting professionally in Washington DC. It was when she joined the cast of Shakespeare Alive and traveled to High Schools all over the East Coast teaching Shakespeare techniques, that she realized she had a passion for English education. She has spent the last 2 years teaching English as a Second Language (ELOS) to students from China. Cait also worked with international students pursuing the performing arts while living abroad in Spain and France. She loves integrating the arts into her lessons and always has fun keeping students active and thinking critically about the world around them!
Lisa Halloran
Pre-K, ESL
Lisa currently teaches kindergarten in Connecticut. She teaches newcomers to the English language as well as English speaking students. Lisa has also taught kindergarten readiness skills for several summers. Lisa was awarded a 2016 Fund for Teachers Fellowship to study art in Paris as a means of enhancing the oral vocabulary development of EL and all students. She has been teaching for 33 years and has also taught special education and second grade. Lisa has a master’s degree in special education with a concentration in gifted and talented from the University of Connecticut. Lisa has also taken classes in therapeutic recreation, enjoys amateur photography, Impressionism, and travel.
Julie Hammond
Physics, Chemistry, Engineering
Mx. Hammond is a spirited science teacher whose passion is to prime students for physical science. Newtonian motion, energy conservation, electricity, and modern physics, are just some of the topics that Mx. Hammond can clearly elucidate. While Mx. Hammond’s background is primarily in high school physics, they also have experience teaching chemistry, engineering, electronics, environmental science, and middle school earth science. Mx. Hammond has their B.A. in Physics from Boston University and their M.A. in Teacher Leadership from Mount Holyoke; coupled with years of teaching experience, they have the expertise necessary to reach any student!
Leah Juelke
English, Language Arts
Leah Juelke, the 2018 North Dakota Teacher of the Year, is a high school English Language Arts teacher, K-12 ELL specialist, and literacy coach in Fargo, North Dakota. She is a decorated educator whose passion for global education, literacy, and creating a welcoming community for refugee and immigrant English Language Learners earned her a spot as one of the top 10 teachers in the world and a finalist for the Global Teacher Prize in 2020. Leah is a certified teacher and holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Education and ESL, a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and has started work on her Ph.D. in Reading, Literacy, and Assessment. She enjoys coaching debate and incorporating games and active learning into her classroom. She has worked with students in elementary, middle, and high school throughout her career and has taught and/or traveled in over 27 different countries. Leah has a 9-year-old daughter, who loves to sing and perform, as well as a very busy 3-year-old dinosaur-loving son.
Madonna MacAnulty
Pre-K, Elementary
Madonna has served children as a teacher in Hillsborough County, Florida, and as an ESOL teacher through VIPKID. She is a certified K-12 ESE/ESOL with over 20 years of experience in elementary education and as a school librarian.
Koki M.
Pre-K, Elementary
Koki is a teacher for Hadley Public Schools and a children’s literature fanatic. A graduate from Mount Holyoke College, she has the following certifications and endorsements in the state of Massachusetts, as well as experience tutoring students Kindergarten through eighth grade:
Massachusetts Early Childhood (Pre-K-2) Initial License
Massachusetts Elementary (1-6) Initial License
Massachusetts Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8) License
Massachusetts Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Endorsement
Natalie McCutchen
Math
Natalie is an assistant principal at Lincoln Elementary School in Franklin, Ky. She taught 7th grade Math and Pre-Algebra at Franklin-Simpson Middle School in Simpson County for 15 years and is in her 16th year in education. She graduated from Western Kentucky University in 2005 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Middle Grades Education. In 2010, she obtained her Masters in Instructional Leadership in order to be a Principal. She obtained National Board Certification in Early Adolescence Mathematics in 2013. In 2015, she received the Ashland Teacher Achievement Award. Natalie has held various roles in education which includes being a member of teacher education organizations such as the National Education Association, Kentucky Education Association, and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Natalie was a Hope Street Group Kentucky Teacher Fellow and a NEA Great Public Schools Network online facilitator. Besides being involved in these organizations, Natalie has held other positions such as being a scorer for Pearson and serving as a math reviewer for EdReports.
Ann Neary, NBCT
Reading, Writing High School
Ann Neary is a National Board Certified Teacher, 16-year educator and teacher leader, currently teaching AP Literature, World Literature, Children’s Literature, Contemporary Literature, and Journalism while shaking up the book room and curriculum at Staples High School in Westport, CT and advocating for National Board teacher support across the state. When not in the classroom, she can be found riding, sailing, and managing her tree farm with her husband and six children.
Nellie Taylor
Math, Pre-Calculus, High School Math
Nellie Taylor has been teaching Math and Computer Science in the Pioneer Valley of MA for the past 18 years. She has also traveled across MA teaching AP Calculus workshops to students since 2009. When she’s not teaching, she’s a Mom to a vibrant 8-year-old future paleontologist (for now). She spends time cooking, crocheting, getting plants to grow, and being outdoors in the woods or on two wheels. She also loves yoga and sunshine.
Genessa Zickefoose
Reading, Writing
Genessa is a passionate educator with over 16 years of combined classroom teaching and instructional leadership experience at the K-6 elementary level. She has earned her B.A. in Anthropology from Mt. Holyoke College, M.S. in Elementary Education from Connecticut State University, and M.A. in Teacher Leadership from Mt. Holyoke College. She is a patient and compassionate teacher known for forming strong connections with her students and inspiring them to become life-long learners filled with curiosity, confidence and strong communication skills. With a decade of experience as a literacy coach, Genessa has extensive knowledge of effective literacy instructional practices. She enjoys inspiring a love of reading and writing in her students, and helping them set goals and take ownership of their learning. Her interests include mindfulness, hiking, photography, and gardening.
Request A Tutor
Getting started is easy. We offer two types of tutoring experiences as well as academic coaching and parental support. We're ready when you are.