May 1, 2014 To Whom It May Concern: During the past year, I have served as David Souzas field supervisor

from Brandeis University. David was able to transfer many skills from his previous career to the classroom. His preparation for class was meticulous. His professional attire and confidence in public speaking enhanced the establishment of a presence in the classroom. From the outset of his practicum, David sought to expand the number of students participating in class. He created a classroom environment in which students could speak without fear of being wrong. His lessons often consisted of brief lectures using power point slides followed by collaborative group discussions about critical thinking questions pertinent to the topic. David invited me to observe a class in which the students conducted a lively debate between pro and anti immigrant groups in early to mid 19th century America. David used the smart board effectively to enhance his lesson with visuals. He frequently used videos from the History Channel and PBS. He learned that student engagement with these presentations is maximized when a study guide is provided and smaller segments are followed by a classroom discussion. Mr. Souza possesses great energy and enthusiasm for the teaching profession. His observations of more experienced teachers in the department enabled him to recognize the need to strengthen his content knowledge and expand his presentations over time. Davids maturity, professionalism, and ability to communicate distinguish him from other student teachers I have supervised and will continue to be significant assets as he begins his teaching career. Sincerely, Ron Sudmyer