Northeastern Illinois University 5500 NoxrH Sr Lovis Avent Chee, TINO 60625-4699 ‘As a Supervisor of Student Teachers at Northeastern Illinois University, itis my pleasure to write this letter of recommendation for Jessica Deren, who was a student teacher of ‘mine during the spring semester, 2008. Jessica was assigned to Ellis School in Round Lake Beach, IL. She was working with sixth graders for her sixteen weeks of student teaching. Jessica was a creative, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable teacher, plus she possesses the important traits of flexibility and initiative. Jessica created a positive environment for her students. Her successful classroom management strategies were visible and effective. Jessica’s lessons were thoroughly planned out, and she provided many interesting and challenging materials that she had gathered from a variety of sources. Her lessons were exciting and respectful of the many abilities that her students possessed. She understood how students differ in their approaches to learning, and she created instructional opportunities that were adapted to diverse learners. Jessica created and used a number of evaluative measures, both informal and formal assessments, in order to affirm her techniques and assure the continuous intellectual development of the Ieamer. Not only did Jessica understand the academic concerns of her sixth graders, but she also developed a fine rapport with all of her language arts classes throughout each and everyday. She listened to the students in a thoughtful and responsive manner. She used her understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encouraged positive social interaction, active engagement in leaning, and self-motivation. Jessica worked well with the sixth grade team of teachers and other support staff. She ‘acquired many motivating and useful ideas from these experienced and helpful teachers. Jessica will be an asset to any school district and to our teaching profession. She is well prepared to continue on and have a very successful teaching career. I recommend her without reservation. I'd be happy to discuss Jessica's qualifications further with you, and I may be reached at 847-934-6299, should you care to contact me. Judith Boduch