03 Auroras) University May 1, 2014 ‘To Whom It May Concern: recommend James Wallbaum for any teaching position that you have available. Mr. Wallbaum's student teaching experience was completed at The Partnership School, West Aurora Schools District 129 Aurora, Illinois during the spring semester of 2014. The Partnership School is a unique collaboration with West Aurota Schools. It s located on the campus of Aurora University. In my experience it is similar to a lab school on a University campus. University education students work in various classrooms under the direction of the classroom teachers and University faculty. Student teachers work with the University students, University faculty, school staff, and their cooperating, teachers throughout their experience. Mr. Wallbaum assumed his responsibilities im that setting well. Mr. Wallbaum demonstrated a willingness to learn and strong organizational skills during his 16 week student teaching clinical experience. As his student teaching supervisor for one semester, I had the opportunity to observe Mr. Wallbaum on numerous oceasions in his fifth grade classroom. Mr. Wallbaum performed all of his teaching duties in a responsible and dependable manner. On each visit, Mr. Walllbaum had a prepared lesson plan. He effectively followed the plan and was able to make modifications to the plan as needed. He explained and reinforced content in multiple ways. He used various questioning techniques to advance instruction, Students often worked in pairs and small groups. He made connections to previously studied material. His lessons included a variety of teaching strategies that included modeling, guided practice, independent practice, and adjusting the pace to the difficulty of the work. He effectively used exit, slips to reflect on student learning and his teaching, Mr. Wallbaum closely followed district and state curriculum. He incorporated suggestions from his cooperating teacher as he developed his skills a a teacher. He effectively used multimedia and technology within lessons that supported and enhanced student learning. He communicated his expectations for appropriate behavior. His desire to improve his teaching skills helped him to grow in his abilities as an edueator. His growth in all areas was apparent from the first week to the final meeting. ‘Mr, Wallbaum is hard working and willing to learn, He will listen to others, utilize self-reflection, and ask for help when needed. He continued throughout the experience to develop many of the skills necessary in teaching. His strengths are dependability, organization, and self-reflection, | feel that Mr. Wallbaum is ready for a teaching position. As Mr. Wallbaum embarks on his teaching, career, he will continue to grow and develop as a professional educator. He will be an asset to a school’s students and staff. 347 Gladstone Avrora 60506-6431 630. 1 aurom.edaIfyou would like to speak with me further about Mr. Wallbaum and his experiences, please contact ‘me at home at (630) 859-3138. I would be happy to elaborate on the experience that Mr. Wallbaum had during student teaching. Sincerely University Supervisor M.SEA, ‘Type 75 certification