Jason and Sharon Hodges 303 Watermill Court Millersville, MD 21108 June 1, 2014 Michael Powell, Principal Rippling Woods Elementary School 530 Nolfield Drive Glen Burnie, MD 21061 Dear Mr. Powell: | am writing to provide a commendation for Mr. Wesley Emiet, who has been teacher to my son, Ethan Hodges, for third grade for the 2013-14 school year at Rippling Woods Elementary School. Ethan has flourished in third grade, due in large part to Mr. Emlet’s unique skill set, which has benefited my son so well this academic year. Ethan has enjoyed being in Mr. Emlet's class (for homeroom, advanced math and science) all year. When | would ask Ethan each day to rate his day on a scale from 1-10 (10 being the best), more often than not Ethan would rate his day quite high on the scale, and when | would ask him why, it almost always had something to do with Mr. Emlet or whathow he was learning in Mr. Emlet’s class, Mr. Emlet both awakened and fostered in Ethan the internal drive to do his best, to overcome obstacles, and to extend his understanding of what he was learning. Mr, Emlet has excellent communication skills, not just with his students, but also with parents. | greatly appreciated his prompt communications with me this year regarding Ethan's progress in his class. He is very professional, yet personal, in all of his interactions with Ethan and with me, as Ethan's parent. Having taken the opportunity frequently throughout the year to either volunteer and/or observe Ethan during “Welcome Wednesdays”, | have seen Mr. Emlet teach portions of lessons on several occasions, sometimes in passing and other times sitting in the back of his class or sitting with Ethan. He is a wonderful, highly able teacher, who excels at integrating technology seamlessly into his lessons, engaging students, and who has excellent classroom management skills. No wonder Ethan has thrived this year! ‘And speaking on Ethan's behalf, it has meant the world to Ethan to have such an excellent, male teacher to ‘guido and facilitate his learning this year. Ethan couldn't have been better blessed and Mr. Emlet is a wonderful role model for Ethan, as well Mr. Emlet has been able to challenge and equip Ethan this year in third grade with what he will need to be prepared for next year. He has shown tireless dedication to teaching, and the result of his dedication is apparent in the smile on my son’s face when he speaks about his teacher. There is no bigger blessing than that. have the highest respect for Mr. Emlet, and | want you to know that | believe that he is a significant asset to the teaching staff at Rippling Woods. Sincerely, Sharon Hodges, Ethan's cc: Mr. Wesley Emlet