Jasmine Fernandez

4064 E Page Ave

Gilbert, AZ 85234
(480) 751-8815
jferna19@asu.edu
29 September 2015
Faith Wagner-Dunbar
Coordinator, America Reads
ASU Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College
1050 S Forest Mall
Tempe, AZ 85287
Dear Ms. Wagner-Dunbar,
I am writing to apply for the position of tutor/mentor in the ASU America Reads Program. I
have spoken to you about it both in person and through email on several occasions, and I am
confident that I am now prepared to take on such a responsibility. I am currently a freshman
in the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College studying Secondary Education with a focus in English.
I believe that my interests in English and teaching experience make me a suitable candidate
for a program focused on literacy.
Prior to starting at ASU, I have spent the last three years involved in unpaid, yet valuable
student teaching opportunities at Highland High School. From 2012 to 2015, I was a part of
the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), an international organization that works to establish a
world of peace by promoting democratic ideals, fighting bigotry, and securing fair treatment
for all. As a peer trainer in a freshman classroom, my duties included facilitating discussion
about global issues and society, promoting teamwork through fun, but educational group
activities, and encouraging my students to get involved in community service, find their
voice, and learn strategies to combat bullying or other stressors in their lives. As my
experience grew, I was put in charge of helping recruit new peer trainers and teaching them
how to organize lesson plans, make a good first impression, and present themselves
confidently in the classroom.
In addition to training and working with ADL, I was a secretary and student teacher in
Highland High Schools TOYBOX program from 2014 to 2015. As a student teacher in the
preschool/daycare setting, my responsibilities expanded far beyond those necessary in the
high school setting; not only did I continue to hone my lesson planning abilities, but I also
added the following skills/knowledge to my repertoire:

Understanding of classroom protocol and safety standards in the state of

Arizona
Planning community events
Teaching traditional classroom subjects
Developmental psychology
Secretarial work
Fernandez 1

These past few years being involved in education have helped mold me into someone who is
confident and passionate in the classroom setting. As a former student teacher, I have
experienced being a part of something much bigger; I understand what it means to be
mentor and the positive impact a single person can make on someone elses life. I feel that a
position in America Reads would enable me to gain even more teaching experience and give
back to the community. I would love the opportunity to become part of such a team, and I
bring with me a profusion of skills. I have accordingly provided the link to my professional
portfolio: http://jjfernandez.weebly.com/. I can be reached by email at jferna19@asu.edu or by
phone at (480) 751-8815. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,

Jasmine Fernandez

Fernandez 2