Ridge High School

268 SOUTH FINLEY AVENUE BASKING RIDGE, NEW JERSEY 07920 908-204-2585; FAX:908-204-2582

FRANCIS T. HOWLETT, JR.

Principal

GINA DONLEVIE, Ed.D

SCOTT THOMPSON THOMAS THORP KATHLEEN DUSEBOUT
Assistant Principals

SHANE HUGHES
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
May, 2013 To Whom It May Concern: Please accept my recommendation of Shane Hughes for a teaching position in your district. Over the past year I have gotten to know Mr. Hughes very well as an educator and individual as I worked with him during his pre-practicum field work experience and teaching internship. In that capacity, I have seen him exhibit all of the best qualities required for success as a classroom teacher. Mr. Hughes is a dedicated professional who embraces the challenges of teaching with an enthusiastic approach that benefits his students. His strong background in World and American History combined with his work ethic and ability to build rapport with students and colleagues will make him an excellent addition to your teaching staff. Mr. Hughes successfully completed a rigorous pre-service field work program over two semesters at Ridge High School in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. During the spring semester of 2012, I worked with Mr. Hughes as his prepracticum cooperating teacher. Over the course of 10 weeks, Mr. Hughes observed and taught lessons in my Sociology and Honors World History classes. Despite the inherent limitations of a 60-hour field work experience, Mr. Hughes developed a strong rapport with my students by supplementing direct instruction with his knowledge of history and engaging with students during class discussions. By the time Mr. Hughes conducted his first lesson on World War I, the students were extremely comfortable with him and readily accepted him as their teacher. Mr. Hughess sophisticated content knowledge and ability to infect his students with his passion for history will serve as an exceptional foundation upon which to build his teaching career. In the spring of 2013, Mr. Hughes returned to Ridge High School to complete his student teaching. While I did not serve as cooperating teacher for his internship, I have had the opportunity to continue to work closely with him. Mr. Hughess teaching internship was conducted with my Honors World History colleague and as he completed his student teaching, Mr. Hughes and I collaborated on lesson planning, assessment development, and grading. During this time, Ive witnessed Mr. Hughess growth as an educator. Despite experiencing the trials and tribulations that accompany all teaching internships, Mr. Hughes never wavered in his efforts to achieve success in the classroom. Post-lesson feedback and suggestions provided to Mr. Hughes would be implemented immediately; invariably showing up in the next days lesson. Throughout his student teaching, he demonstrated a sincere commitment to developing studentcentered activities that would engage students and maximize the potential for critical thinking. Mr. Hughess experience teaching Honors World and Honors American History in a highly competitive school district have provided him with an exceptional foundation upon which to build his future as an educator. His enthusiasm for teaching and learning, well-developed ability to connect with students, and his good natured and collegial personality make him a strong candidate for a teaching position in your district. Please accept my recommendation as you consider his application. Sincerely,

Jennifer Raphaels, Ed.M. Teacher of Social Studies, Ridge High School