Catherine Sanders

Gifted Teacher, Grades 3-8

Berkeley School District 87
Jessica Deren
Teacher

May 30, 2012

Dear Reader,
It is my pleasure to recommend Ms. Jessica Deren for a teaching position within your school
district. I have been teaching for thirteen years and have been the gifted teacher for our district
for three years.
Jessica has built relationships with her students and she has strong classroom management skills.
This translates into a positive learning environment. Her student population is culturally,
linguistically, and academically diverse. Ms. Deren capably and creatively differentiates to meet
the needs of all her learners. With the help of Ms. Deren, her fifth graders are actively engaged
and learning across the curriculum.
I have co-taught with Ms. Deren on numerous occasions and have observed her management and
best practice first-hand. She uses a blend of direct instruction and cooperative learning that has
produced results with her learners. I have observed her effective questioning style that challenges
students and encourages higher-level thinking.
Ms. Deren is organized and a creative planner. I believe that Jessica Deren would be an asset to
any district for these reasons and more. She has demonstrated content-knowledge, management,
and teamwork.
If you would like further elaboration about Jessica, you can telephone me at (708) 449-3548 or
email me csanders@berkeley87.org.
Sincerely,
Catherine Sanders