Teachers College
Office of Educational Field Experiences
BELIEVING
During her student teaching experience in fourth grade at Washington Elementary School, Melissa proved to be an outstanding candidate for the teaching profession. She was poised and confident as she worked with students who respected her as the curricular leader and manager of their classroom.
BEHAVING
Melissa displayed solid content knowledge and created learning experiences that made subject matter meaningful for her students. She took the initiative to search for information to enrich the traditional curriculum. Interdisciplinary strategies were used on a regular basis as she designed developmentally appropriate learning opportunities for the children. She designed many hands-on activities giving her students the opportunity to be actively involved in their learning.
Melissa was very away of the need to adapt expectations and instructional procedures so all students experienced success. She used assessments to identify students who needed additional exposure and learning opportunities to achieve mastery of key concepts.
Effective classroom management strategies resulted in a positive and relaxed learning environment. Melissa clearly articulated her expectations for conduct and thoroughly modeled the responses she expected from students as they completed their daily assignments. Lesson plans and assessments were skillfully implemented to follow local and state guidelines.
Melissa desired her students to experience success. Consequently, they were highly motivated to please so they might experience her smile and words of affirmation.
BECOMING
Melissa's communication skills and warm personality enabled her to quickly develop rapport with the students, staff, and parents at Washington. I encourage potential employers to seriously consider Melissa as a teaching candidate. I'm confident you will be pleased with her personal qualities, dedication to excellence, knowledge of content, effective use of technology, and the teaching skills she will bring to your school community. She is confident, competent, and ready to begin her teaching career.
Robert Trout
University Supervisor
More reference letters available upon request.