SOUTH WESTERN SCHOOL DISTRICT

EMORY H. MARKLE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

225 Bowman Road, Hanover, PA 17331
Phone (717) 633-4840, Fax (717) 633-7073, Web www.swsd.k12.pa.us
Dr. Daniel W. Hartman - Principal
Mrs. Lori Billman - Assistant Principal
Mr. Eric Klansek - Assistant Principal

9 June 2016
To Whom It May Concern:
It is with highest regard that I recommend Ms. Amy Kauffman as a candidate within your organization.
Ms. Kauffman is a member of Emory H. Markle Intermediates school leadership team as our student
achievement specialist within the South Western School District. As the assistant principal, I have had
the good fortune of collaborating with her on various school-related activities and observing her
leadership throughout the school and district. Ms. Kauffman displays the highest level of professionalism
in all aspects of her interactions and duties.
Ms. Kauffman is a vital member of our school community. She has been a strong leader of professional
growth and development among building and district educators. Within the past year, Ms. Kauffman
encouraged the pursuit and establishment of a true instructional coaching model. This involved the
participation in a premier training at Kansas University with leading researcher and practitioner, Jim
Knight. Since returning from this coaching institute, Ms. Kauffman has developed a coaching model that
has been initiated within the second semester. The powerful impact of the coaching model has begun to
influence other district systems. Ms. Kauffman has showcased her experience with Webbs Depth of
Knowledge by collaborating with teachers and teams on instructional tasks and assessments. Her push for
rigor within common curricular assessments has been a contributing factor of our schools student
achievement growth.
Ms. Kauffman has been a critical researcher and participant within the school districts Grading and
Assessment Committee. This role required extensive research of alternative grading practices, site visits,
education of all stakeholders, the development of a management system, and continuous
support/refinement. She is a member of our schools planning team that initiated an academic,
social/emotional, and behavioral intervention period within the daily master schedule. A framework for
referring student concerns to an interdisciplinary team was developed and continues to be supervised by
Ms. Kauffman. She has also been an advisor for extracurricular organizations: Student Advisory Council
and Where Everybody Belongs Team. Under Ms. Kauffmans supervision, these organizations have
developed student body leaders, crafted character among middle level learners, and fostered a sense of
community within our building. Ms. Kauffman continues to promote and support education and the role
of the educator through her various roles within South Western School District.
I am confident that Ms. Kauffman would be an asset within your organization. She displays
professionalism, initiative, knowledge, reliability and care. I highly recommend Ms. Kauffman to you
without reservation. I am readily available should you have any questions regarding her qualifications.
Sincerely,

Mrs. Lori A. Billman

Assistant Principal