MONnTOURSVILLE AREA SCHOOL DisTRICT Montoursville Area High School 100 North Arch Street, Montoursville, Pennsylvania 17754-1900 570-368-2611 570-368-2768 (FAX) Dante D. Taormina Dr. Timortny S. Bowers CurisropHer R, KinG Pinal ievict Soperintedent Asien rial 570-368-2491 April 28, 2016 To Whom It May Concern: | write to offer my recommendation for Alexandra Preston. Miss Preston served as my student teacher at Montoursville Area High School in thé spring semester of 2016. My schedule, which quickly became her schedule, consists of Honors English 11, AP English Language and Composition11, and two drama electives. During her time at MAHS, Miss Preston taught two novel units to my Honors English 11-classes, in addition to various lessons for both Honors and AP. Pushing students to think critically is"@ capstone to Miss Preston's pedagogy. Her unit on the powerful novel A Thousand Splendid Suns encouraged students to move beyond their own perspectives to consider the points of view of both fictional and real-life people in the Middle East through writing assignments and projects. Her unit on /n Cold Blood helped students to closely read for Truman Capote’s bias as he created his famous “nonfiction novel.” In addition to traditional assessments like reading quizzes and tests, Miss Preston incorporates creative methods such as in-class debates, journal prompts and discussions, short media clips, and artistic projects in order to effectively gauge student understanding, She created a small- group project in which students collaborated on making Facebook profile for character in a Maxine A DirrenenceMOonTourSVILLE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT Montoursville Area High School 100 North Arch Street, Montoursville, Pennsylvania 17754-1900 570-368-2611 570-368-2768 (FAX) Danie D, Taormina Dr. Timorny S. Bowers ChrisrorHer R. Kinc Primal Der Soprintendent AccitntPncipal 570-368-2891 book. Student had to prove what they knew about the character and write posts from the perspective of that character. Their final drafts were made on poster boards and hung around the room, to allow for a gallery walk. Such an activity was times more effective than a rudimentary character chart or worksheet. Miss Preston understands that effective teaching requires more than solid lesson plans and content instruction. Upon artiving in my classroom, she began to learn student names and interests. She knows which sports students play, which activities students are involved in, which struggles they are going through. Recently, Miss Preston reached out to a student recovering from an eating disorder to seeif she would be bothered by Miss Preston bringing cookies in for a class treat. ‘Because she had established a relationship with this student, Miss Preston was aware of a possible personal roadblock for her. ltonly took a moment to send that student an email, but the effect was clearly tasting. Not only did the student appreciate Miss Preston's sensitivity, she also felt supported in her recovery by her teacher. No lesson plan, no activity, no writing assignment could create that kind of effect on a child's life. To be sure, Alexandra Preston would be an asset to any school that is wise enough to hire her. She possesses the foundation of content that a successful teacher needs, but perhaps more importantly — she embodies the creativity and compassion that a true educator must have. Miss Preston is eager to improve as a young teacher, and she consistently seeks out Maxine A DirrerenceMontToursviLLE AREA SCHOOL DisTRICT Montoursville Area High School 100 North Arch Street, Montoursville, Pennsylvania 17754-1900 570-368-2611 570-368-2768 (FAX) Dantet D. TAORMINA Dr. Timotny S. Bowers Curistorrier R. Kinc Paincpal iar Sopeienent Auinan Peni 570-368-2491 constructive criticism in order to become the best teacher she can be. | have no doubt that this positive, self-reflective attitude will lead her to a successful and meaningful teaching career. Should you have any questions or wish to speak to me personally, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, ZN NUCne oF Denise M. Connor Montoursville Area High School English & Drama Teacher 570-368-2611 nnor@montoursvi Maxine A Dirrerence