Michael Vukovich, Principal

North High School

501 Holcomb Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50313
Phone: 515-242-7200
Fax: 515-288-8409
Email: north@dmschools.org

Edward McCulley, Vice Principal

Cheryl Modlin, Vice Principal
Brian Tate, Activities Director
Kristy Irwin, School Improvement Leader
Benjamin Graeber, School Improvement Leader
Mimi Willoughby, At-Risk Coordinator
Kimber Foshe, Counselor
Julie Charikov, Counselor

November 19, 2014

To Whom It May Concern:
I am Joe Van Haecke, an English teacher at North High School. I am writing on behalf of Morgan Reid,
who was a practicum student of mine in the fall of 2013.
During that time, Morgan observed many different classes, from freshman to senior classes, all with a
variety of personal and academic needs. Morgan assisted with many lessons, especially during group
work time when students were actively working on a learning task. Additionally, she observed and
participated in the Data Team process where we met with other content-specific teachers to discuss
lesson ideas, academic strategies, and collaboratively plan future lessons and score formative and
summative assessments. During these sessions, Morgan had the opportunity to learn and apply
standards referenced grading practices. Often time, this collaboration led to in-depth discussions about
learning and student-development theory and process, as well as best practices and academic
strategies. Not only did Morgan participate in these discussions, she also brought back her ideas and
discoveries to discuss in her Drake educational classes. Morgan also took additional time beyond her
practicum to discuss my lessons and my classroom management style as well.
My observations of Morgan are that she is a thoughtful and reflective educator with the passion and
enthusiasm to be a valuable asset to any educational institution. She is well-informed in her content
area, and she immediately establishes positive relationships with students in order to maintain student
engagement and encourage active learning in the classroom.
Without hesitation, I recommend Morgan Reid as an English teacher. Her background in English, along
with her desire to continually improve and reflect, makes her an excellent candidate for an English
teaching position.
If you have further questions, please feel free to contact me via email at
joseph.vanhaecke@dmschools.org or you may call my cell phone at (515) 321-4896, after 3 pm.
Thank you,

Joe Van Haecke

English Department Chair
North High School
Des Moines Public Schools 50313

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