Hope Academy of West Michigan 240 Brown St. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507 616.301.

8458 To Whom It May Concern: It is my pleasure to recommend Taylor Simpson as an Elementary Teaching Candidate. Taylor was a tutor at Hope Academy of West Michigan for the first grade students within my classroom. She worked with students at varying academic abilities as well as social and emotional abilities. These students came from challenging socioeconomic backgrounds and cultural groups. Taylor prepared language arts lessons specifically to the students reading level. She worked one-on-one with the student in order to boost reading confidence and skills. Through Taylors work, I saw gains in my students attitudes toward reading and also confidence in reading strategies that have been taught. Taylor knows how to observe, assess, collect data and draw conclusions to find where students needs and successes were. For example, Taylor worked with one specific student who struggled with sight words and Taylor took it upon herself to use hands-on learning strategies to teach such sight words with meaning. Taylor understands this importance of developing relationships with the students. My entire classroom was excited to see her come through the door and they continually ask for a chance to work with her. Although she was only required to come two hours a week for her semester at Grand Valley State University, she put in well beyond the necessary hours, by even teaching throughout our summer school program! She has a passion for working with students and that was seen as she continued coming to tutor for months after her course was complete! Taylors awareness of the socioeconomic struggles many families in our school endure inspired her to create educational totes for every single one of my students. Each tote included items such as: books, writing journals, word work activities, and dry erase boards, so the students would be able to learn at home! These are the type of devoted, passionate, and understanding teachers we need in the classrooms. I am so grateful to have had Taylor helping my students reach grade level reading goals. She is a professional, caring and effective teacher. Taylor has greatly enhanced my student learning and I am confident that she will be an asset to any teaching team she joins. Sincerely, Alyssa Dean 1st Grade Teacher Hope Academy of West Michigan