COLUMBIA COLLEGE EDUCATIONAL STUDIES 33 East Congress Parkway, Chicago, Illinois 60605-1996 312-369-8140 www.colum.edu May 15, 2015 Dear Administrator, Tam pleased to write this letter for Jessica Burton as she pursues a teaching career in Visual Arts. I supervised Jessica during her student teaching assignments at Skinner North Elementary School and Northtown Charter High School, both in Chicago, Illinois. Thave been working with student teachers for many years and I can say, without hesitation, that Jessica is one of the most qualified student teachers I have known. She is a natural in the classroom and she is comfortable teaching diverse groups of students. Her enthusiasm and knowledge of art content engage all students in her lessons. Jessica is a dedicated and extremely hard-working teacher. She researches the schoo! community and she integrates the culture and personal interests of her students into the art lessons she teaches. Students respond positively to her appropriate management strategies and individual guidance. Her organization skills and her ability to demonstrate art processes enhance her instruction, Her detailed lesson preparation is obvious to students and they respond eagerly. Jessica speaks and writes professionally, giving her the ability to articulate clear learning goals and expectations to students. Differentiation and individual instruction are well thought out in her lesson plans and they are implemented as needed to help all students achieve success. She is patient, approachable and respectful of her students. She quickly learns students’ names and develops excellent rapport with them. Her sincere interest in her students is obvious. Lessons developed by Jessica during her student teaching assignments include color scheme studies and introduction to installation art (HS) and many artist inspired lessons, gyotaku and perspective drawing (EL). Jessica prepared worksheets for students and incorporated technology through slide shows and website references. Her lessons challenged students and encouraged them to make personal choices in their work. She prepared excellent teacher exemplars for her lessons. Her assessments were appropriate and she also used them for her own reflection and improvement. Jessica is self-directed and she loves to teach. She holds a BFA in photography and she is proficient in technology. She is a student leader and presenter for the Illinois and National Art Associations. Jessica volunteered to complete the pilot edTPA for Columbia College and she earned an excellent score. I know that Jessica will be an outstanding addition to any educational institution. She is ready to teach and she is a team player -- professional, intelligent, dependable, insightful and eager to share her artistic skills with students and staff. Her knowledge of art and passion for teaching will make her a superior teacher. I give her my highest recommendation. Please contact me if you wish further information. Sincerely, Mary Bortz_ (847-730-5940 marybortz19@gmail.com) Bete et eas Columbia ¢ COLLEGE CHICAGO