December 16, 2013

To Whom It May Concern: I am writing to ask that you give consideration to Miss Casey Laing as she applies for a position as an elementary school educator. I have known Casey since she was in high school and have always been impressed with her dedication to her education and her willingness to work hard to achieve her educational goals. She has a quiet determination not often found in young women her age. Caseys chosen field of study in Elementary Education has been a perfect fit for her. She is creative, kind, and has great insight into how children are thinking and what they need to succeed. She is particularly adept at relating to children who need special attention or supports. For example, Casey was observed monitoring a group of children who were participating in a research project here at Utah State University. One of the children demonstrated significant difficulty in relating to the other children, and became very agitated when he was crowded. Staff members talked to the child, trying to resolve his problem and yet he remained anxious. Casey gave the young man a long piece of yarn and helped him to arrange it to form a sitting zone. Other children were allowed to sit near him, but within a space that he felt comfortable, which resolved this young mans anxiety and there were no further problems. Casey loves children and while at the University of Utah, spent time volunteering with Neighborhood House in Salt Lake City, a program she became involved with as part of her first years Leap for Arts course. She was responsible for choreographing and performing the dance portion of a play with the children. Since that time, she continued to volunteer at Neighborhood House.
In my work over the years with university students, its become easy to spot talented students who know what they want to achieve and are willing to work hard to accomplish those goals. For years, Casey has known that she wanted to be an elementary educator. She has worked hard in her coursework at the University of Utah, and is well-prepared to begin her teaching career. I believe she has the aptitude, abilities and empathetic personality necessary to be great teacher.

Sincerely,

Tami Pyfer, M.Ed. Research Coordinator, Emma Eccles Jones Early Childhood Education & Research Center

2610 Old Main Hill

Logan, UT 84322-2610

Ph: (435) 797-8660

Fax: (435) 797-8638