Letters of Recommendation

9043 Grinnell Street

Indianapolis, IN  46268

April 1, 2013

Dear potential employer,

I would like to recommend Clare Kelly for a teaching position in your school district.

I was Clare’s student teacher supervisor from Butler University during her nine weeks at Northview Middle School.  She taught eighth grade reading to a diverse group of students.  Three strong teaching traits emerged that support her effectiveness as a teacher.  She maintains a professional decorum, she develops meaningful connections between content and student interest, and she employs a variety of teaching strategies that are both engaging and productive.

During this nine week placement, Clare had good attendance and dressed appropriately.  Her teaching materials were prepared in advance with both short and long range goals.  Her lesson plans reflected objectives that were tied to state standards.  She and her co-op teacher had a rewarding and respectful relationship.  You can count on Clare to be a team player.

Clare has a keen interest in the way students learn.  She was able to reference contemporary poems, music and personalities while covering complex material like Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”   The connections she made helped the students apply knowledge they already have to what they needed to know.   She was able to support the needs of ELL students with an alternate version of the literature piece.   Students were engaged when she taught.

Clare’s strength is in the multiple teaching strategies that she employed.  She uses direct instruction minimally, as she prefers group and individual work and project type assignments. Technology is included seamlessly.   She’s very mindful of the students’ developmental needs.    Group work permitted physical movement during the extended block period and the students also appreciated the opportunity to be responsible for their own learning.  This respect for student learning styles is notable.

Clare Kelly would be an asset to your staff.  Please consider her a strong candidate.

Sincerely,

Denise Brock

Butler University student teacher supervisor

brock.dee@gmail.com

317 872 6632

April 3, 2013

To Whom It May Concern:

From Clare Kelly’s first day of student teaching on January 7, 2013. I knew she was special.  I teach a semester course so students walking into the class were new to me.  Although Clare did not have to begin her student teaching until the second week of this new semester, she chose to begin a week early so she and I could welcome the kids and establish classroom expectations and guidelines together. 

For the first three weeks of Clare’s student teaching we co-taught classes together.  Clare was great about collaborating on lessons and willing to do whatever students needed to make sure they were well prepared for the lessons of the day.  By week three Clare had fully taken over all the classes.  She faced five classes full of reluctant learners; below and high average students, assorted bad attitudes, and many potential discipline problems.   There was an initial struggle with students and their behavior; however, during her nine-week tenure, Clare turned students who initially gave her a hard time into achieving and well behaved participants.  She turned bad attitudes into friendly faces that were eager to learn from her.

One of the things that impressed me most about Clare was her love and caring for the students.  There were a few situations where a specific student came to her about a personal family situation.  Clare was very concerned and reported it immediately to the appropriate authorities.  However, she didn’t just stop there.  She continued to look into the welfare of this student and followed up often to make sure everything was going well. 

Although I knew she was great with the kids it wasn’t until the end of her student teaching when I realized the amazing rapport she had with each of them.  Clare took it upon herself to write every single student (approx. 130) an individual letter.  She told each of them specific reasons why they were amazing and why she would miss them.  She also gave various students advice on how to succeed in life.  The kids were ecstatic about their letters and spoke about them for days. 

Clare Kelly enriched lives while she was at Northview.  Her creativity in lessons and caring personality is impressive.  It is very clear to me that she has a passion for young people and a desire to teach.  I strongly recommend her for a teaching position.  She will be an asset wherever she goes.  Thank you for your consideration!

Sincerely,

Leah Floyd

English Department

Northview Middle School