TEL: (858) 534-1680 DEPT.

OF EDUCATION STUDIES
FAX: (858) 534-2462 9500 GILMAN DRIVE
URL: WWW.UCSD.EDU LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA 92093-0070
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing this letter on behalf of Kayla McElwee as a recommendation for a teaching position. I
supervised Kayla in her second student teaching placement and can confidently recommend her for
a full time teaching position.
Kayla student taught in a Kindergarten classroom at Albert Einstein Charter Elementary in San
Diego. Kayla has established strong relationships with her students and is focused on building on
their strengths. She collaborated well with her cooperating teacher and sought her guidance in her
development as a teacher. Kayla added value to the grade level team and the site!
Kaylas lessons are well written and the objectives and assessments are aligned with the standards.
Kayla creates lessons that are student centered, meaningful and engaging. She plans critical
thinking experiences while at the same time maximizing student engagement. Kayla consistently
employs the gradual release of responsibility and augments lessons to make interdisciplinary
connections. Kayla creates a positive learning environment where the students build academic
language and content learning at high levels.
Kayla also demonstrated strong classroom management skills. She has a strong presence in front of
the class and projects confidence in her role as the teacher. Kayla helps students self-monitor their
behavior and is explicit in stating her expectations and consequences. Kayla invites the learners in with
high levels of engagement and active participation. She also employs the responsive classroom
approach to the social curriculum thus creating an absolutely positive classroom environment.
Kayla is an excellent teacher. Kayla brings a reflective stance to the classroom in which she will
teach. She is intelligent, enthusiastic and capable of providing students with a solid education and a
wonderful learning environment in which to grow.
Elizabeth Pappas
Supervisor, Lecturer UCSD
Education Studies
e pappas@ucsd.edu