May 1, 2014

It is a pleasure to write this letter of recommendation for Courtney Bell, a

dedicated and resourceful educator. During her student teaching Courtney has
wored effecti!ely with students, parents, colleagues, and administration. "er
nowledge of language arts, composition, and literature is commenda#le, her
professionalism, e$emplary.
Courtney consistently maintains an engaging and enriching learning en!ironment
for her students. "er planning is organi%ed, her lessons, creati!e. De!eloping
and infusing new and insightful acti!ities into each unit, she promotes critical
thinking and encourages students to tae thinking and writing riss for
academic progress. &he promotes differentiated learning with colla#orati!e,
acti!e, and personal instruction and acnowledges each student as an indi!idual
learner. 'ocused on and cogni%ant of e!ery student(s needs, Courtney willingly
wors with students who need one)on)one support, her unwa!ering dedication
and sincere concern propelling them to learn. "er unparalleled ad!ocacy for
students is commenda#le. *o foster learning, Courtney +chuns, longer lessons
to chec for comprehension at each step, not mo!ing on until she feels students
ha!e the sills and confidence to ad!ance. *o monitor their progress, she
apprises students of #oth daily and long range goals.
Connecting literary themes to student(s li!es, to their communities, and to the
glo#al world to ensure student understanding, Courtney(s resourcefulness,
adapta#ility, nowledge of su#-ect matter, and use of !aried teaching strategies
pro!ide moti!ation for students. she effecti!ely scaffolds lessons to guarantee
producti!ity. /hile aligning curricular acti!ities with the Core Common &tandards,
Courtney(s lessons fluidly engage students and promote student responsi#ility for
their own learning, #y pro!iding logical and se0uential lessons and acti!ities that
ena#le students to synthesi%e the nuances and themes for awareness of the
author(s purpose and message. 'or e$ample, to prepare students and to engage
them #efore they #egin to read, she has them tap into their prior nowledge,
referencing !arious te$ts and historical references to illustrate the importance of
uni!ersal themes.
1esponsi!e to young minds, Courtney creates opportunities for students to
assess their own learning with customi%ed ru#rics and self)checs and to
encourage them to thin critically a#out their writing, 2tili%ing 0uic writes,
reflections, and self)assessments, she customi%es the strict curricular
guidelines she must follow to adhere to district mandated lessons. *o help them
scrutini%e the point and purpose of a thesis, she scaffolds their understanding #y
first presenting topics and themes found in well)nown fairy tales, stories, and
poems. *his, in turn, helps students de!elop the thining processes to e$amine
critically a wor(s theme, there#y helping students create effecti!e theme
statements #y in!esting themsel!es in the writing process. /hen teaching
Things Fall Apart, Courtney had students include their personal responses and
opinions of the te$t, again encouraging connection and rele!ancy. &he
consistently incorporates engaging acti!ities, #est practice, and research)#ased
methodology into thoughtful, enticing, and producti!e lessons. In her 3cademic
4lacement class she wors assiduously with students on their writing, asing
pro#ing 0uestions to moti!ate them to pro!ide additional, specific e!idence for
their claims.
I ha!e o#ser!ed Courtney se!eral times o!er the course of her student teaching
and on a consistent #asis ha!e witnessed her e$emplary classroom
management. &tudents adore her and see her out for assistance with personal
and academic issues, her interaction with students percepti!e, guided, and
moti!ational. &he en-oys students and holds them to the highest standards,
insisting they #e respectful and focused contri#uting mem#ers of the class. *hey,
in turn, admire her mutual respect and her encouragement to #e responsi#le
learners. "er rapport with students is professional and apparent, and they, truly,
appreciate her genuine concern for their personal well #eing and educational
success.
I, enthusiastically, recommend Courtney Bell as 0ualified to teach 563 in
secondary schools. &he will pro!ide resourceful teaching to all students and
represent her profession with pride and e$pertise.
&incerely,
4atti 6am#ert
2CI &ingle &u#-ect &uper!isor, 43C* co)coordinator