Marie T.

Sykes
32171 Paseo De Manuel
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
May 2, 2015
To Whom It May Concern,
It is with great pleasure that I highly recommend Miss Hayoung Yoo for a teaching position. During
her student teaching in my 2nd grade class, Miss Yoo was an exceptional teacher candidate. Her
lessons were standards based, well organized, and designed to meet the diversified needs of
students. She provides motivating lessons that connect prior knowledge with new learning, utilizes
ongoing assessment to direct her instruction, and creates an effective learning environment for all
students.
Miss Yoo is an exemplary teacher who takes the initiative to do whatever is needed to ensure the
learning of all students. She actively engages students in problem solving and critical thinking. As
they construct meaning from their learning, students are engaged in both independent and
collaborative learning experiences. She effectively uses active participation techniques during her
lessons, asking students to discuss with a partner or respond with thumbs up or down as she asks
probing and clarifying questions. Most importantly, Miss Yoo effectively uses student thinking to guide
instruction and makes adjustments to meet their needs. She elicits and charts student learning
making student thinking visible, ensuring that all students have access to the learning, and providing
a context for learning that brings relevance and meaning to students.
Miss Yoo effectively utilizes on-going assessments as she listens to students thinking, asks questions
to check for understanding, and analyzes their work. While teaching for conceptual understanding of
measurement, ongoing assessment of student learning played a critical role in the planning of
subsequent lessons. At the end of each lesson, Miss Yoo evaluated student learning as well as
misconceptions. The following day's instruction was based on her findings.
In a second grade classroom organized around student-centered learning, Miss Yoos ability to create
and maintain a highly effective learning environment is notable. This is evident in the high level of
collaboration between students. She establishes clear, high expectations, rewarding students for
demonstrating attributes of a scholar as well as for making good choices, and effectively redirects
students who require guidance. The high level of cooperation and collaboration between students
provides an environment in which students feel safe to take risks and share their thinking.
Miss Yoo is an eager learner who actively seeks professional feedback and acts upon it. Her
commitment to teaching is evident in her willingness to go above and beyond to provide students with
the best learning experience possible. Her calm demeanor in the midst of an active classroom
environment creates a very reassuring presence for children. Miss Yoo is highly collaborative when
working with staff members. Her passion for teaching and genuine caring for children make her a
valued member of our profession and an asset to any staff.
Sincerely,

Marie T. Sykes, ETAP II

Chaparral Elementary School