To Whom It May Concern: This letter is to provide you with a letter of recommendation for Brandon Coleman.

It is a letter I write with great enthusiasm. As Mr. Colemans mentor teacher, I have been able to observe for several months his natural talent as a speaker, lesson designer, leader, and foundation of success for any classroom and school who makes the wise choice to hire him. Mr. Coleman has consistently shown an ability to manage a classroom, plan useful and engaging lessons, and connect with students in a way that the students listen to and become involved in learning. When you see what I refer to as a Coleman Classroom you will see when he is speaking, students carefully listening and engaged. Brandon has the ability to get and hold the attention of any group he is in front of. You will also see activities that involve students wrestling with questions and problems that are interesting and do not always lend themselves to simple answers. Finally, you will find that students must complete work that requires thought and attention from the students. In this semester of teaching US History, Mr. Coleman has engaged students in simulations that required them to advise Truman on the use of the atomic bomb; JFK in how to deal with missiles in Cuba; FDR in dealing with the Great Depression. Students re-lived the crash of 1929. These thoughtful, well-designed classes that made students active participants were the norm - not the exception. Mr. Colemans lectures and PowerPoint presentations were engaging and just the right length to keep students focused. Students practiced improving their writing skills nearly every day. He was successful in getting many students to re-do assignments in order to bring them up to his expectations so that students, in the short time he was here, learned to expect more from themselves. Brandon Coleman has all the skills, habits, and attitudes to successfully teach whatever subject he is assigned, and I very strongly recommend him for a position in education. He will be a great asset to whatever school he is in. Sincerely yours,

Don Heese Teacher East High School Des Moines, Iowa