Brewster ‘Elementary choot 126 Tate Road PRoytenal boo! Dares #13 Durham, Conneticut 0622 Nancy M. Heckler, Principal Fax: 860°349¢7232 http://brewster.rsd13ct.org/ March, 2016 ‘To Whom It May Concern: It is with great enthusiasm I recommend Meghan Callahan to you as a prospective elementary school teacher. Meghan is currently a long-term substitute teacher in kindergarten. Her long-term substitute assignment began in November and will continue throughout the remainder of the year. Prior to this assignment Meghan was a special education paraprofessional at Brewster School. ‘Since Meghan was familiar with the students in the classroom the transition was seamless, Meghan quickly assumed the responsibilities of the teacher; planning and implementing lessons based on curriculum and utilizing a variety of instructional strategies to promote learning. Meghan has been responsible for assessing each student on the grade level benchmarks, completing progress reports and holding parenvteacher conferences. Meghan attended team meetings, PLC ‘meetings, and PPT’s for specific students. Parents and colleagues continually comment on the excellent work Meghan has done as a long-term substitute observed Meghan working with students on numerous occasions. Meghan is an enthusiastic, conscientious and creative teacher. She is caring, patient and consistent with her students. A variety of teaching strategies are implemented during lessons to promote student learning. Lessons are individualized according to student needs and abilities. Meghan easily establishes rapport with students and provides them with a safe, comfortable environment where they are willing to take risks. Meghan has learned and implements a number of classroom management strategies to ensure that the students are ready to learn, Students respect her and respond to the positive techniques she uses to reinforce our Core Ethical Values, She is flexible, extremely reliable and willingly completes all tasks assigned to her. ‘Meghan worked with a Literacy Coach throughout the year. As a result, she has a good knowledge of Reader's Workshop and implements Reader's Workshop independently. She plans guided reading groups for her students who range from non- readers to reading above grade level. She has experience administering and interpreting the Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark “Assessment, PSI and Concepts of Print. This data is utilized to form flexible literacy groups. Meghan embraces feedback and utilizes the new knowledge to improve her teaching. Meghan has quickly become an integral part of the staff. Our faculty and staff respect her because of her sincerity, hard work, and pleasant manner. ‘Meghan possesses all the qualities necessary to be an excellent teacher. { would not hesitate to hire her ifthere was an ‘opening at Brewster School. Meghan has proven that she will be an outstanding educator and become an asset to the district that hires her. Ifyou have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Respectfully submitted, Vipb.de Nancy. Heckier Principal