IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY Coa on Department of Heal eee Poe SND ESHNG LOGY, ud Haan Performance 235 Barbara E, Fork Building Ames, towa 5001 April 22, 2002 Recommendation for Adam Mohning ‘Adam Mohning asked me to write this letter in support of his credential file for a teaching Position. T have known Adam for approximately two years, as a student in my classes and as a ‘student I supervised during his elementary student teaching, Tt is an honor to write this recommendation, as Adam is a fine person and an excellent representative of our program, He has helped to set @ higher standard for our physical education teaching students. Let me begin by telling you a bit about me, so my words of recommendation are put in perspective, ‘Thave been involved in educating teachers for over 25 years in Arizona and Louisiana prior to ‘moving to Towa. For over three years T have supervised all of the elementary student teachers at TSU. I teach several required classes in our teacher education program (elementary methods, ‘adapted physical education, measurement and curriculum). I'am Chair of the HHP Teacher Education Committee and on the University Teacher Education Committee. I have also taught students preparing for medical and other professional and graduate programs. In addition T hove authored three of the most popular textbooks on elementary physical education published in the U.S, Tam the physical education and activity advisor to the USDA's Team Nutrition project. ‘Therefore, I feel confident to evaluate students within the context of ISU's teaching program, ‘across programs and with other universities. Further, T understand National Standards and issues related to teacher training, ‘As Adam teaches his face lights-up and he is clearly completely engaged with his students, He. ‘epproaches each teaching moment with energy, focus and a desire to be perfect. Clearly Adam Understands the challenge of teaching-from time management to learning ouitcomes-and he is ‘eager to accept and meet the challenge. In addition to having mastered the basics of teaching (eg., management), and demonstrating proficiency in instruction (e.g,, demonstrations, directions, ‘nd feedback) and planning, he is motivated by the joy of teaching. Tt is clear he loves it-he enjoys the kids, demonds self responsible behavior and best effert from students, reflects to improve and keeps everything related to teaching-learning in perspective. It is a pleasure to watch him and to listen to his reflection on each class, student or incident. From day one of student teaching, Adam's work pleased the most demanding (and competent) ‘cooperating teacher working with our program. She expects student teachers to be self-starters, to seek answers before asking her, to work toward independence. She is a perfectionist, as is ‘Adam. Every indication is that she was most pleased with his performance. Between her comments to me and my direct observation, Adam is the best student teacher in a class of very good student teachers. He is among the best T have every supervised.