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.
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Have Master's Degree
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Speak Multiple Languages
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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!
Administrative Staff
Chief Learning Curator
Dr. Megan Allen is the founder and chief learning curator at the Community Classroom. She works hard to serve students by matching them to their perfect teacher, thereby increasing knowledge, skill, confidence, and joy. 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. Megan most recently worked as the Director of Partnerships for the National Network of State Teachers of the Year, the professional home for all state teachers of the year (she was the Florida 2010 State Teacher of the Year). She also served as 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.
Junior Tutor
Quinn is a recent graduate of Pioneer Valley Performing Arts School and a gentle and patient cheerleader for kids in the classroom. Quinn is our classroom math whiz and helps the students he assists develop better understandings and relationships with math. Quinn works alongside the tutors of The Community Classroom, assisting with tutoring and helping lead Guided Homework Support on Mondays.
Academic Coaches
Academic Coach
The approach Chris takes with teaching and learning it to cultivate curiosity, facilitate introspection, and foster hope. He is a writing teacher, but his experience extends beyond traditional academic instruction. He infuses expertise in journalism and poetry, special education and gifted education, and motivation and human wellbeing. The foundation of his practice hinges on relationships and the growth of his students includes not just academic content and skill, but also executive function, goal-setting, and self-knowledge. He holds a Master's in Educational Psychology (University of Missouri) and 20 years of experience teaching in both public and private schools. Recently, he helped found a high school for adolescents who learn differently, many of whom are twice-exceptional. Chris spends his summers teaching at Missouri Scholars Academy, a three-week residential experience for gifted high school juniors.
Academic Coach, High School Science Tutor
Melissa is passionate about educating the whole student. Her student-centered approach to education empowers her students to develop skills in critical thinking, creativity, teamwork, planning & time management, discourse, presenting information, self-advocacy, and confidence. Melissa holds an MEd in Educational Leadership, has over ten years of experience teaching high school science, and has developed student-centered high school and middle school curriculums. She cultivates her students’ love of science and learning by encouraging them to draw connections, develop a deeper understanding of content, and foster ownership in their learning. Melissa's area of expertise is students who are twice-exceptional.
Academic Coach, Tutor
Adele has a B.A. and M.Sc. in Biology, and is passionate about bringing hands-on science activities to young people. She has been teaching, tutoring, and mentoring throughout her journey from western Massachusetts to California, Nepal, and back again to the Valley. Adele believes in supporting students to develop their innate resources for problem-solving, self-reflection, and self-compassion. She feels strongly about honoring the voice and agency of young people in the learning process, and knows (from her own experience!) that the learning process can go off in creative or unexpected directions that may lead to deep understanding. Adele can also be found hiking in the woods, foraging for mushrooms, and riding trails on her mountain bike. She enjoys leading rides and skill sessions with the local youth cycling group.
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Tutors
Reading and Writing Tutor
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.
High School Science/Math/AP Tutor and Academic Coach
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!
Academic coach, tutor, math specialist
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.
Tutor, Math Specialist
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.
Middle School/High School English/Language Arts Tutor
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.
High School English/Language Arts/AP
Linda has written curriculum for all levels and has managed a department of 21 high school English teachers. She is a content expert whose focus is on student success at all levels, including special education, ESOL, college prep, and Advanced Placement. Linda is well acquainted with the Georgia Standards of Excellence for English, grades K-12. She served on a commission that determined the Common Core Georgia Standards when those were initially being adopted in 2009. She has written curriculum and lesson plans based on state standards throughout her career at all levels of sixth through twelfth grades.
Early Childhood Tutor, English as a Second Language (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.
Early Childhood Tutor
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 and a favorite among our tutoring clients.
Tutor
Elise is a recent graduate of Mount Holyoke College with a double major in Psychology and Education with Teacher Licensure and Spanish. They were the Music Director of The M&Cs A Capella group at Mount Holyoke College and were a member of the Mount Holyoke College Glee Club Choir as well. Elise has been tutoring at The Community Classroom since the summer of 2020 and has a wonderful and fun way of approaching her work with kids. They are currently in their first year of teaching.
Reading Specialist
Stacy is a reading specialist who has been working with struggling readers for 24 years. She currently works as a reading specialist and special education teacher at the Norris School in Southampton. She is a certified practitioner in Orton Gillingham. She also has training in Wilson, Leveled Literacy Intervention, Reading Recovery, and Seeing Stars. In addition to being a fabulous and talented educator, Stacy can build relationships with her students like no other!
Tutor
Christine has worked in education for 20 years, as an elementary classroom teacher, an interventionist for struggling learners, and an art museum educator. She earned a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, a Master’s degree in Art History from Williams College, and a Bachelor’s degree in Art and Spanish from Bowdoin College. She integrates her art practice and fluent Spanish with a commitment to social justice in her teaching. In her free time, she enjoys reading, yoga, getting outdoors, and keeping up with her two young children.
Elementary Tutor, ESL
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. She is proud to be selected as the 2021 Robinson Elementary Teacher of the Year.
K-6 Elementary Tutor, Math Specialist
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!
6th Grade-9th Grade Math Specialist
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!
Elementary Tutor, Special Education
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
Middle School Math Tutor
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 an 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.
Reading Specialist, Elementary Math and Reading/Writing Tutor
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!
AP PreCalculus/Algebra, Middle-High School Math Tutor
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 9-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.
PreK-3rd Grade Tutor, Reading Specialist
Christina graduated, with honors, from Elms College with both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Elementary Education. She started her career as a floating academic paraeducator, helping a variety of students with special needs in grades 1-6. As a classroom teacher, she was nominated for the Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award for the 2019-2020 school year. She knows the importance of positive reinforcement and genuinely recognizing when students try their best! She loves creating fun learning experiences for students to maximize their engagement and encourages students’ active participation and academic growth. When she’s not relaxing outside, she and her husband enjoy taking day trips to explore local areas of interest.
High School Math Tutor
Susan is a certified teacher who has taught secondary level mathematics as a classroom teacher (Brookline High School, Belmont High School, and Greenfield Community College) and as a private tutor for math homework, test prep, and projects. She is a graduate of Boston University (B.A. in Computer Science, magna cum laude) and Washington University in St. Louis (M.A.T. in mathematics). Most recently, her day job has been as a software website specialist in testing, support, and data analysis. While that work keeps her quite busy, she has been eager to again work with students of mathematics -- contributing to their learning ease and confidence, supporting them toward the belief that math is accessible to all. She is excited to be among our staff of tutors. When not sitting in front of a screen, Susan enjoys running, hiking, thrift shopping, porch gardening, caring for her special needs cat, keeping up with local and global news, and practicing environmentally sound living.
Junior Tutor
Quinn is a recent graduate of Pioneer Valley Performing Arts School and a gentle and patient cheerleader for kids in the classroom. Quinn is our classroom math whiz and helps the students he assists develop better understandings and relationships with math. Quinn works alongside the tutors of The Community Classroom, assisting with tutoring and helping lead Guided Homework Support on Mondays.
Junior Tutor
Maggie is a Smith College student who loves to inspire young girls with math. Having scored a perfect 800 on the math SAT, Maggie has a passion for helping young students build confidence with math (but really any subject). When not tutoring or working on assignments for her classes, Maggie likes to read, knit, and cook. And spend time with her three chickens! Maggie has worked as a math tutor for the Boys and Girls Club since 2016. She is proud to be a Junior Tutor at The Community Classroom, working with students on guided homework support, math, and SAT preparation.
Reading specialist
Leslie is an educator and a speech and language pathologist. She works together with students from ages 5-adult to create a learning community in which students are the subjects of their learning, leading their study with their own questions. She believes in teaching for understanding, and for depth over mere coverage. Leslie works in The Community Classroom with students that need specialized instruction in reading, writing, and communication. Leslie specializes in: dyslexia (reading and spelling study), speech articulation, word study, vocabulary enrichment, and expressive language development. She also works with high-functioning autistic children in social communication skills, such as coping with new situations, functioning in groups and classroom situations, and other challenging issues.
Elementary Tutor, Math Specialist
Jan Szymaszek recently retired after working as a third-grade teacher at the Smith College Campus School in Northampton, Massachusetts, which is the laboratory school for the Smith College Department of Education and Child Study. In addition to working with college interns and elementary students for over thirty years at the Campus School, Szymaszek has also been involved with mathematics education in the wider community for many years. She is an experienced facilitator of several math seminars at Mount Holyoke College and in her local district and has contributed to various NSF projects involving teacher-written cases and looking closely at student thinking. When she's not teaching, Szymaszek enjoys spending summers camping along the coasts of New England and North Carolina, visiting one son and his family in Seattle, Washington, and the other son who lives in southern Virginia, and also relaxing in her backyard with a great book in hand.
Biology and Chemistry Tutor, Academic Coach
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.
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College Essay Coaching and Support
College Essay Coaching, Tutoring, and Editing
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.
Writing Tutor, College Essay Coaching and Editing
Kathryn Petruccelli is a performer and writer with an M.A. in teaching English language learners. She's taught expository writing in community college and university settings and worked with middle and high schoolers through California Poets-in-the-Schools and Mass Poetry. She'll be teaching with Seattle's Hugo House Youth Programs in Fall 2021. Her professional life has included translating “Hotel California” for Hungarian high schoolers and anthologizing verses by rival gang members. Her poetry and prose have appeared in many literary journals such as The Southern Review, New Ohio Review, Rattle, Poet Lore, Tinderbox, and Catamaran Literary Reader. Nominated for Best of the Net 2020, Kathryn is a past winner of San Francisco's Litquake essay contest and a finalist for the 2019 Omnidawn Broadside Poetry Prize. More at poetroar.com.
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