September 21, 2018

Dear Hiring Committee,

I’m pleased to provide a high recommendation for Mariana Giraldez, an MEd student at the
University of San Diego who is currently student teaching. As her advisor, I have come to know
her well and have been pleased to be her instructor for two of credential classes. She is
conscientious, caring, and has a wide range of experience that gives her the skills to be an
excellent special education teacher. She also is bilingual (Spanish).

As a pre-service teacher, Ms. Giraldez has a calm demeanor and effective classroom
management skills. Her experience as a behavior technician and in working with a wide range
of children and families has given her a deeper understanding of how to meet the needs of
students. Her ability to plan engaging lessons and connect with students will serve her students
very well. In creating lesson plans, Ms. Giraldez is skilled in using the principles of Universal
Design for Learning and in considering needs for differentiation. She is reflective, open to
feedback, and thoughtful about engaging students. She has maintained positive relationships
with students and teachers in the classrooms she’s worked with during her practicum. In
addition, Ms. Giraldez is reliable; she meets deadlines and follows through with commitments.

I have no hesitation in recommending her and would hire her if I was still in a position to do so.

Please contact me if I can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,

Suzanne Stolz, EdD

Assistant Professor of Special Education
University of San Diego
Department of Learning and Teaching
School of Leadership and Education Sciences, University of San Diego

 
 

phone: 619-260-2707
email: sstolz@sandiego.edu