November 21, 2014

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

It is my pleasure to add my voice of enthusiasm to the application of Mr. Chris Luzniak. I have
had the privilege of working with Chris over the past six years in many capacities and in each he
has been thoughtful, creative, dynamic, and hardworking.
Chris Luzniak is truly one of NYC's finest educators. In the time I have known him, he has
worked tirelessly on improving his craft for the betterment of the students fortunate enough to
have him as their Math teacher. Nearly all of Mr. Luzniak's students adore him -- not because he
is easy on them, but because he holds them to the highest possible standards and helps them
achieve more than they ever thought possible for themselves. Students in Mr. Luzniaks Algebra
II and Pre Calculus courses are taught to persist in problem solving and to use debate techniques
as a way of coming to deeply understand and articulate mathematical reasoning. The pedagogical
approaches that Mr. Luzniak takes with his scholars are often constructivist in nature and allow
for our students to gain confidence as mathematicians. Mr. Luzniak spends hours creating
thoughtful and engaging lessons and providing students with feedback on their problem solving
and reasoning.
In fact, Chris is dogged in his pursuit of better and better teaching strategies. Mr. Luzniak
decided that students in his class needed to be communicating more with one another and
working together to construct meaning in true collaboration. He decided to learn more about the
Socratic Seminar and debating techniques for the math classroom. He studied, dialogued with
his colleagues in Math for America, visited other teachers' classes on occasion, and re-crafted the
Socratic Seminar for his own class. His work of integrating debate into the math classroom is
truly at the cutting edge of best teaching practices. I have visited on several occasions and have
watched students engaging in high level, textually supported discourse. As always, Mr. Luzniak
made a decision that something needed to happen for his students and created the best possible
experience for them.
One only needs to come to Mr. Luzniak's classroom during his prep period and see dozens of
previously disengaged students working on math problems and projects with their mentor to
understand the almost magical power he has. Countless students have approached me to tell me
about how much Mr. Luzniak has helped them with their progress in mathematics. Students in
Mr. Luzniak's classes may struggle at the beginning of the year, but by the end, his effect on
them means that they are not only performing strongly in his class, but they are often looking
forward to taking more challenging math courses in college. I have received calls from grateful
parents and emails from students who feel lucky to have had Mr. Luzniak's support and
confidence in them.

In addition to being an amazing classroom teacher, Mr. Luzniak has served many leadership
roles at SLJ. He founded and still leads our Speech and Debate team, and he also served a term
as Math Department Head. Additionally, he often volunteers to assist 12th graders with various
Senior year activities. As a result of such participation in the community, he has gained the
support of his colleagues who appreciate his persistence and want to learn from him. What is
remarkable about his leadership is best observed with his student teachers and Math for America
apprentices. Many of his apprentices have the utmost respect for Mr. Luzniak and return
semester after semester to check in with him and receive his guidance. Because he is so humble
and such a constant learner, his peers are not threatened by him, but instead simply want to learn
from someone who is so clearly a master at his craft.
Not only is Mr. Luzniak dedicated to his Math students and promising student teachers, but he
also stays late every single day to coach and oversee our Speech and Debate team. Mr. Luzniak
has led each years team to success. This is no small feat with students anywhere, but especially
students in a small urban school who often have many opportunities and messages competing for
their interest and time. Mr. Luzniaks efforts with the Speech and Debate team have helped a
small cohort of students find their identities and balance for their lives. Mr. Luzniak has been
able to take students who weren't successful in middle school or during the first semesters of
high school and turn them into proud scholars and contestant winners.
Chris is also an Advisor to about 18 students. He has developed strong and lasting relationships
with his students and their families. Mr. Luzniak is commonly known as the teacher who calls
home -- for bad and for good. He understands the power of building relationships and that is
what has made his successes possible.
Through his work as a lead Math teacher and Advisor as well as the Speech and Debate team-and the requisite work it involves with students and their families -- Mr. Luzniak has helped his
students change their perspectives and maybe their lives. Mr. Chris Luzniak is a true gem.
It is for these reasons and many more that I am proud to give him my highest recommendation.
Sincerely,
Suzette L. Dyer
Principal
Urban Assembly School for Law and Justice
718-858-1160
sdyer@sljhs.org