ON SCHOOL LETTERHEAD

Y is ready for her own classroom. My full-day kindergarten class had the good fortune of being her student teaching placement for the academic year 20XX-20XX. Y assisted with the opening of school on day one, quickly adapted to this classroom and school and in rapid time was teaching small groups followed by whole-class instructional responsibilities soon thereafter. Demonstrating the necessary confidence, professionalism and skills I found it easy to entrust her with routine tasks (arrivals, transitions to the lunchroom, etc.) as well as the critical lessons (reading and math) and procedures (calendar) of the day.

Y performed tasks far ahead of the recommended schedule and was teaching full-days by mid-term. This made her subsequent full-time assignment transition in January seamless as the students and families were accustomed to her acting as the lead instructor. She is organized, thoughtful, attentive to details and focused on student progress collectively and individually. Her continuous informal assessment of students' learning ensured their intellectual needs were met – this included accommodating the wide range of skill levels.She sees the curricular lessons as a solid starting point but knows when to follow and when to divert based on student needs and achievement. Y easily found a balance between the required components and her own knowledge base to create lessons that met standards, actively involved students and used my suggestions and parent considerations to constantly improve on the delivery model.

I was impressed she chose to continue to coordinate the in-room parent schedule although she was offered the option of suspending it. We have 8 parents weekly and admittedly that could be a bit intimidating to both manage their valuable time and to continue instruction in their presence.

The kids clearly respect and care for her as evidenced by their desire to meet her expectations, adhere to her rules, follow her requests and strive for her approval and acknowledgment. Their academic and behavioral success was forefront in her mind and demonstrated in her planning and daily implementation of lessons. In addition, Y developed a 7-week lesson plan, composed the February calendar and newsletter and analyzed student academic and behavioral performance for mid-term progress reports and spring report cards.

She added new management techniques that I will continue to use and infused her lessons with creative angles and twists. The K-team in this building instituted a mixed-class program dividing our classes and then recombining for some academic and creative tasks wherein we each teach 1/3 of the students from each class once weekly. Although we were ready to begin after Y’s departure, she requested we start while she was here – that takes courage and additional planning – again, I am impressed!

Y has attended all staff meetings, participated in several parent conferences, joined me for Literacy Committee meetings, acted as staff liaison with the parent-run Science Committee and attended several evening activities - K Open House, K Fest, Science Fair.

We will surely miss her and wish her well in all that lies ahead in her career. My recommendation? Hire Y if she shows up at your door!

Sincerely,

Your Name, contact info, etc.