INDIAN SPRINGS SCHOOL DISTRICT 109

Cook County
FRANK A BRODNICKI SCHOOL
Dr. Blair Nuccio ​ ​8641 WEST 75​th​ STREET ​Dr. Kelly Doogan
SUPERINTENDENT JUSTICE, ILLINOIS 60458 PRINCIPAL
(708) 496-8716 Fax (708) 496-8173 ​Angie Krejci
ASST. PRINCIPAL
“An Illinois State Board of Education Model School District”

March 14, 2020

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing in regards to Yasmeen Ruhman. Ms. Ruhman is a hard working paraprofessional
and would be a welcome addition to any teaching staff. Yasmeen has a love for children, a
positive and supportive attitude, and the ability to plan and implement meaningful lessons and
interventions.

I have known Ms. Ruhman since 2017 when she was hired at Brodnicki. When she first started I
did not have a chance to work with her directly, but I heard great things about her teaching from
trusted co-workers that had her in their classrooms. This year I had the chance to co-teach Lucy
Calkins’ Unit of Study in Reading with her. From this experience I can personally say that what I
had heard is true. Yasmeen is a very dedicated, effective, reliable, and an overall valuable
educator.

Ms. Ruhman has worked well with me in planning and coteaching the sessions. She has even
asked for the challenge of taking on the mini-lessons herself. I have witnessed her desire to go
above and beyond what is expected of a paraprofessional. She was excited about the opportunity
to gain experience in planning, implementing, and tweaking lessons to make them work in my
class of Kindergarteners. I do have a few challenging students, one in particular that requires a
lot of attention. Yasmeen has taken him under her wing and has not let the fear of his outbursts
stop her from being a successful instructor. She willingly includes him in her intervention group
and is able to control him with subtle discipline and positive reinforcement. She has also been
very flexible when things do not go according to plan, which happens a lot in Kindergarten.

I admire how Ms. Ruhman wants to better herself and take on new challenges. She has asked for
my feedback and has implemented my suggestions. She is not satisfied until things are done
right. She seems to enjoy her job and continues to look for new ways to make learning fun. She
would be an excellent addition to any school district, given the chance! Please feel free to contact
me at (708) 846-2738 or ​dsrmek@isd109.org​ if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
Darlene Srmek 
Darlene Srmek
Kindergarten Teacher