The West Classroom Our West Classroom is an inviting space with areas devoted to Montessori materials, science (including live animals), reading, art, dress-up, music and manipulative work. It's always humming with activity and filled with the voices of children discussing field trips, science experiments and much more. The learning never stops with creative projects and thematic teaching going on at all times. This classroom also contains our PM Class (Monday-Friday, 1:30-4:30) which welcomes three to five-year-olds as well. Melissa Commodore - SW Head Teacher/PM Head Teacher Melissa has been part of the MMS family since 2000. She starting working at Morningside part-time as a substitute teacher, camp counselor and then proved herself to be very capable as camp coordinator (2004-2008). Melissa became a full time head teacher in 2007 after receiving her NYS teaching certification in Art Education from Queens College. Melissa also has a BA from Hunter College in Studio Art. Melissa has a wide rage of experience working with students of many ages. She has been working with children in diverse educational settings for 16 years. Some of her other educational experiences include: Afterschool programs, Substitute teaching in NYC public and private schools of varying grade levels and teaching literacy skills to Pre-k to Second graders through a non-profit organization. It is fair to say that Melissa loves working with children and enjoys expanding her educational knowledge and experience. We feel very lucky to have Melissa bring her warmth, patience and calm demeanor to Morningside. Anna Maria Hanlon -AM Montessori Teacher Anna Maria, or "Al" as she is known to her co-workers, has been teaching at Morningside since 1996. She is a certified Montessori teacher with a certificate from the London Montessori Examination Board (Dublin, 1991) and a Diploma in Nursery Nursing as well. Al was born in Dublin, Ireland and moved to New York in 1994. She has been working with young children since 1991. She and her husband Neil have two sons, Liam and Jack. Al works her Montessori magic in the West Class and has also worked in our PM Class as well. She brings a wealth of experience and kindness and a bright sense of humor to all her classes. Jasmine Pujols Melendez - Assistant Teacher Jasmine has been with Morningside since 1996. She brings a quiet strength and caring demeanor to our West Classroom. She was born in NYC. She and her husband Elton have one son, Kasten (a Morningside alumnus). Jasmine has shown a valuable ability to help out wherever there is a need. Sheree Evans - West/PM Assistant Teacher Sheree has been with Morningside since 2001. She has been working with preschool-age children since 1995 and brings her warmth and quiet wisdom to or Northwest classroom. She particularly enjoys bringing hands-on science and cooking components to her classes - all with a touch of humor. She was born in New York and has two children, Malakai and Anaia. Sheree also teaches in our PM Class in the West Classroom and has been a head counselor in the Peewee program (ages 2-3) of Camp Morningside (or summer camp) since arriving in 2001. Alexandra Valentin – PM Assistant Teacher Alexandra Valentin has been part of the Morningside community since 1996. When she started as a substitute teacher and camp counselor. In 1997 Alex became a permanent assistant teacher and in 2000 she became our Camp Coordinator. In 2004 Alex left Morningside to work at Episcopal Social Services as an Infant/ Toddler Specialist. In 2006 Alex returned to Morningside where she is now an assistant teacher in the PM Class. She is currently in the process of obtaining her Montessori Certification from West Side Montessori. Alex loves working with children and brings a wonderful, fun and charismatic atmosphere to our school.

The West Classroom

Our West Classroom is an inviting space with areas devoted to Montessori materials, science (including live animals), reading, art, dress-up, music and manipulative work. It's always humming with activity and filled with the voices of children discussing field trips, science experiments and much more.

The learning never stops with creative projects and thematic teaching going on at all times.

This classroom also contains our PM Class (Monday-Friday, 1:30-4:30) which welcomes three to five-year-olds as well.

Melissa Commodore - SW Head Teacher/PM Head Teacher

Melissa has been part of the MMS family since 2000. She starting working at Morningside part-time as a substitute teacher, camp counselor and then proved herself to be very capable as camp coordinator (2004-2008). Melissa became a full time head teacher in 2007 after receiving her NYS teaching certification in Art Education from Queens College. Melissa also has a BA from Hunter College in Studio Art. Melissa has a wide rage of experience working with students of many ages.

She has been working with children in diverse educational settings for 16 years. Some of her other educational experiences include: Afterschool programs, Substitute teaching in NYC public and private schools of varying grade levels and teaching literacy skills to Pre-k to Second graders through a non-profit organization. It is fair to say that Melissa loves working with children and enjoys expanding her educational knowledge and experience. We feel very lucky to have Melissa bring her warmth, patience and calm demeanor to Morningside.

Anna Maria Hanlon -AM Montessori Teacher

Anna Maria, or "Al" as she is known to her co-workers, has been teaching at Morningside since 1996. She is a certified Montessori teacher with a certificate from the London Montessori Examination Board (Dublin, 1991) and a Diploma in Nursery Nursing as well.

Al was born in Dublin, Ireland and moved to New York in 1994. She has been working with young children since 1991. She and her husband Neil have two sons, Liam and Jack.

Al works her Montessori magic in the West Class and has also worked in our PM Class as well. She brings a wealth of experience and kindness and a bright sense of humor to all her classes.

Jasmine Pujols Melendez - Assistant Teacher

Jasmine has been with Morningside since 1996. She brings a quiet strength and caring demeanor to our West Classroom.

She was born in NYC. She and her husband Elton have one son, Kasten (a Morningside alumnus). Jasmine has shown a valuable ability to help out wherever there is a need.

Sheree Evans - West/PM Assistant Teacher

Sheree has been with Morningside since 2001. She has been working with preschool-age children since 1995 and brings her warmth and quiet wisdom to or Northwest classroom. She particularly enjoys bringing hands-on science and cooking components to her classes - all with a touch of humor.

She was born in New York and has two children, Malakai and Anaia.

Sheree also teaches in our PM Class in the West Classroom and has been a head counselor in the Peewee program (ages 2-3) of Camp Morningside (or summer camp) since arriving in 2001.

Alexandra Valentin – PM Assistant Teacher

Alexandra Valentin has been part of the Morningside community since 1996. When she started as a substitute teacher and camp counselor. In 1997 Alex became a permanent assistant teacher and in 2000 she became our Camp Coordinator. In 2004 Alex left Morningside to work at Episcopal Social Services as an Infant/ Toddler Specialist. In 2006 Alex returned to Morningside where she is now an assistant teacher in the PM Class.

She is currently in the process of obtaining her Montessori Certification from West Side Montessori. Alex loves working with children and brings a wonderful, fun and charismatic atmosphere to our school.