Michelle Healy - Fifth Grade Teacher
Michelle is originally from a small town outside of Philadelphia. Craving a change of scenery after high school, she came to New York City to complete her undergraduate degree at NYU. After two years of tutoring in a public school on the Lower East Side during the school year and working as a counselor at a sleep-away camp during the summer, she realized that she wanted to continue working with children in her professional career. She taught for two years at a charter school in Harlem before coming to Community Roots in 2009. She loves being part of such a caring and supportive learning community! In the summer of 2010, Michelle began her graduate course work in the Mathematics Leadership program at Bank Street College of Education. In her spare time, Michelle enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and friends, and exploring her neighborhood in Brooklyn.
Danielle Morrison - Fifth Grade Teacher
Danielle is a native Angelino, born and raised in the sun and sand of Southern California. She braved four Midwestern winters while earning her BA in English Literature from the University of Chicago. She dreamed of becoming a writer. In August 2001, she stumbled into teaching, lured by the desire to be in New York City and all the amazing things she had heard about Bank Street Graduate School. Still somewhat undecided about whether or not teaching was for her, Danielle and her 3rd grade class endured the September 11th attacks on the second day of school, and, as she looked into the eyes of her 8 and 9 year olds, she knew that she was meant to do this kind of work. For the next seven years, Danielle continued to teach the 8/9s or 3rd grade at the Bank Street School for Children where she also earned her Master's degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education in 2003. Last year, she returned home to LA to teach 5th grade and enjoyed living two blocks from the beach. She is thrilled to be back in New York, exploring Brooklyn, and she excited to be a part of the Community Roots family. She knows that this is a very special place to be.
Melanie Mahanna - Fifth Grade Teacher
Melanie grew up right outside Uitca, New York, in the small town of Clinton.  When she was in 2nd grade she realized that she wanted to be in the classroom and work with children.  In high school, after reading Jonathan Kozol’s work on urban education, it became clear to her that she wanted to work in New York City.  She attended Syracuse University (SU) where she studied inclusive education and French cultural studies. While at Syracuse University, Melanie studied abroad in France for a semester and participated in the SU in NYC program in which she student taught in the Bronx and Brooklyn.  At SU she helped establish and facilitate the Warren Fellowship Program for Holocaust Studies.  That experience provided her with the skills to teach children about being accountable for their actions and not being bystanders. Melanie believes in empowering students
to have a voice and to take action. She has brought that passion to the classroom, particularly with the implementation of the 5th grade Civil Rights study. Â Community Roots feels like the right place for her due to the reflective and thoughtful community of teachers, staff and administration. She believes deeply in its inclusive
environment where all children are encouraged and supported in their learning.
Todd Sutler - Fifth Grade Teacher
From 1998 to 2004, Todd traded bonds for an investment bank in New York, Toronto and Tokyo. He loved the opportunity to travel to many different countries and experience different cultures. Always drawn to children, Todd worked at his college s nursery school and after college, he mentored and tutored at Chelsea s I Have A Dream program. In the summer of 2004, Todd left banking and spent a year traveling through South America, the U.S. and Sweden. In the fall of 2005, he joined The Boys Club of New York as Director of a social and academic enrichment program for teenage boys. In January of 2007, he began graduate study in Elementary Education at Bank Street College of Education; concurrently, he became an assistant teacher in Manhattan Country School s first grade and then, assistant third grade teacher at Bank Street s School for Children. Todd feels very lucky and blessed to join the Community Roots family.