CHANDLER HIGH SCHOOL, 8501N ARIZONA AVE CHANDLER, AZ, 480.812.7700 PHVB: 720 BX January 16, 2015 Dear Chandler Unified School District: Lis with great honor and confidence that I write this letter of recommendation for Mrs. Rhonda Rodriguez. As her mentor teacher, I have gotten to know Mrs, Rodriguez on an educational, academic and personal level over the course of this past year. During our first meeting in May 2014, my first impression was of her excitement for sharing her expertise, life experiences and passion for learning with students at the secondary level Mrs. Rodriguez has been an active member of the Chandler High School community since before the start of the 2014-15 academic year, attending the full week of Chandler University workshops, seminars and meetings in order to best prepare herself for immersion into high school life. While ‘maintaining a full load of education courses through the University of Arizona, Mrs. Rodriguez has lirelessly dedicated herself to observing multiple teachers across different disciplines in order to make note of diverse teaching styles and techniques, to lesson planning and creating new note- taking devices and assessments, assignment grading and post-school hours tutoring availability for her students. ‘The University of Arizona requirement for student teaching was a phasing in to full-time instruction for two classes by December 2014, Motivated and excited to learn to the art of teaching, she was eager to hop right in to instruction, knowing that the best way to learn something is to do it! Hence, by mid-October, Mrs, Rodriguez. was teaching all four of my Human Biology classes nearly full- time, eaming the respect and attention of her students. In the time she has spent engaging her students in the world of human anatomy, she has also established trusting, fun, enlightening relationships with her pupils; she, appreciating their growth and deeper understanding of the content, and they, valuing her diverse life experiences and honesty. She has taken the time to get to know her leamers not only as students inside the classroom but as young people, outside the classroom, by attending their athletic matches, performances and other extracurricular events, She was even asked by one of her students to be her basketball mentor during the season; Mrs. Rodriguez gratefully accepted the opportunity to share in this students” suecess on and off the court. In addition to her commitment to her classroom instruction, enthusiastic to build her educational experiences and reputation as a team player, Mrs. Rodriguez has participated in a variety of events outside her school day. In order to offer personal tutoring and be available for assignment make-up or questions, she has opened her schedule to accommodate students for office hours every Monday and Wednesday after school. On November 7, 2014, she attended the Arizona Science Teachers Association Conference at the NAU Phoenix campus for a day of learning and interactive educational experiences, some of which she has directly incorporated into her classroom instruction practices at CHS. In November 2014, she acted as a judge for the in the CUSD Academic Decathalon Debate at Hamilton High School. She will also be contributing her science background asa judge at the 2015 CHISEF Fair at Chandler High School on February 7",CHANDLER HIGH SCHOOL 350N ARIZONA AVE CHANDLER, AZ 85925 480-812-7700 PH/812.7720 FX Every day, every class period, Mrs. Rodriguez demonstrates to her students her enthusiasm for science and life-long learning, Its my pleasure to recommend this passionate educator, Mrs. Rhonda Rodriguez, for employment within Chandler Unified School District. If can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, Cc if Mm. Mori Jenififer M. Crozier, M.A. Human Biology Teacher, Chandler High School ‘Telephone: (480) 812-7712 Email: Crozier Jennifer@cusd80.com