School and Field Services

March 31, 2023

To whom it may concern:

I am writing this letter of recommendation on behalf of Ms. Victoria Smilnak. Victoria was a student
teacher under my supervision through Oakland University. Victoria’s field experience was at Armada
High School, in English 11 and Honors English 9, and Creative Writing. It was a pleasure to witness her
instructional growth journey. Early on in her internship, Ms. Smilnak was confident and comfortable with
instruction and lesson planning. Victoria fostered a welcoming environment and quickly built a rapport
with her students. Victoria used a variety of participation and engagement strategies to hold the students
accountable for their learning.

Victoria collaborated often with her mentor and responded well to feedback and strived to improve her
lessons; she made great self assessments to refine her lessons hour to hour. She set lofty goals for an
intern, one which was to work on individualizing her instruction; she worked on student feedback to push
students to improve themselves. This is impressive for a student teacher and is just one example of her
ambition and drive to set goals and reach them.

Victoria openly reflected on her struggles and achievements in her weekly journals, always providing
evidence of success in addition to offering suggestions of how she could use a new strategy to help work
through her weaknesses, which were few for a novice instructor. As a result of her experiences this year,
she has added many effective strategies to her instructional toolbox.

Victoria is the epitome of professionalism and work ethic. Her attributes that will serve her well as an
educator. In addition, Victoria is one of the most compassionate people I have had the privilege to know.
Her compassion for others was evident in her interactions with students and was noticeable to the school
counselor who complimented her on her rapport. Victoria not only worked to grow students in the
content but also socially and emotionally.

I am proud of Victoria's progress this year; it was a joy to work with her. I believe that Ms. Victoria
Smilnak is a qualified and extremely capable teacher candidate. It is without reservation that I
recommend Victoria for a teaching position in your district. Please feel free to contact me if you require
additional information.

Sincerely,
Alice Gryspeerd
Student Teacher Supervisor Oakland University
810-420-2384

385 Pawley Hall | 456 Pioneer Drive, Rochester, Michigan 48309-4401

oakland.edu/sehs-sfs