January 23, 2016

To Whom It May Concern,

I am pleased to write this letter of recommendation for Kaylie Quimby. Kaylie
was a student in one of my classes in Fall 2015. This class, Universal Design for
Learning, is a hybrid class in which half of the content is online and half is in a
more traditional face-to-face lab. The online format is challenging for many
students. They have to bear much more responsibility for managing their time,
organizing their work, and seeking out the professor or teaching assistants for
clarification or assistance as needed. Some students flounder in this
environment because there is less structure and a need to take more initiative.
Others thrive because they are highly organized, eager to learn, and take
advantage of the flexibility and individualization online learning has to offer.
Kaylie was this type of student. In fact, Kaylie is one of the most dedicated,
reliable, and hard-working students I have had in my undergraduate classes.

Counseling,
Educational
Psychology,
and Special
Education
517-355-1837

http://education.msu.edu
/cepse/specialed/

Kaylie always completed coursework ahead of schedule. In fact, she kept me on

track in the course. Perhaps more important than promptness, though, her work
was of the highest caliber. She is a strong writer and an equally thoughtful
individual. She demonstrated a comprehensive knowledge of students
characteristics and needs, effective methods of responsive teaching, and creative
ideas for engaging and motivating students. Her work in this class, through
papers, projects, and peer collaboration, showed a strong dedication to becoming
the best possible teacher and to helping students maximize their potential.
Furthermore, she was able to apply course content in flexible in creative ways
when planning instruction. Her work was some of the best in the class, and I
will use several of her projects and papers as models for future students.
Kaylies resume also is a reflection of her commitment to education, students
with learning differences, and leadership. She has been activity in university and
community events, as well as in service to the profession. This level of service,
combined with the quality of work in her classes, is a testimony to her high level
of ability to stay organized and to go beyond formal coursework in learning and
in contributing to efforts that improve the lives of children.
In summary, Kaylie is an outstanding student and is well on her way to
becoming an outstanding teacher. She is mature and knowledge, responsible and
dedicated. She is committed to becoming the best possible teacher, and she will
have a positive impact on the lives of the children she teaches, as well as the
colleagues with whom she works. I have no doubt that she would be a worthy

recipient of this scholarship, or any other honor. If you should need any
additional information, please do not hesitate to reach me at: Okolo@msu.edu or
517-355-1871.
Sincerely,

Cynthia M. Okolo
Professor, Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Special Education