PORTLAND PURLIC SCHOOLS Hosford Middle School G Office of the Principal Oe 2308 Southeast Twenty Eighth lace «Portland, OR 97214 dis 503-916-5640 «Fax: 503-916-2637 Februaiy 23, 2015 ‘To Whom it May Concern, Tam writing this letter to reecnimend Maureen Tromley for the position of classroom teacher. Ms. Tromley was a student teacher in my fourth grade classroom at the Creative Science School, a focus option school within the Portland Public Schools During her teaching, Ms. Tromley effectively taught several arcas of the curriculum, including literacy and mathematics. For example, she developed, pre-assessed, implemented, and post-assessed math units. These units included a great deal of hands-on activities and multiple visuals. I patticularly appreciated that with each activity the students finished, Ms. ‘Tromley had a series of follow up activities, each more challenging than the last, for the students to work through at their own pace. Finally, even when teaching established math units, Ms, Tromley would further develop and enrich the eurriculum, Self-direction and initiative are her strengths. With our fourth grade team Maureen developed a storyline themed on bees, This was fantastic unit that focused on bees, their life cycle, and the ecological challenges they face. At the end of the unit parents were invited to a big bee-themed culmination that allowed. students to show off everything they had learned. During her time in my classrdom Ms. ‘Tromley and I had thoughtful discussions about teaching, I appreciate her ability to reflect on challenging students and see conerete ways that she might better nurture student growth. 'd also commend her initiative and flexibility, crucial traits in a focus option school. Ms. Tromley displayed an enormous amount of growth as ateacher. Ms. Tromley is a very student-centered teacher. Her manner with children is calm and warm, ‘Within the Creative Science School community Ms. Tromley carried herself in a professional manner at all times and showed an ability to work in a positive, constructive manner with teachers, our principal, and parents. Ifyou have any questions please feel free to contact,me. Sincerely, J4, ff -~_—— Email: bneedham@pps.net Po ty ehate an rnp pl ub Shank an ena ena