BAND SALVATORE J. BOENZI ‘DIRECTOR OF BANDS, ANZA TRAIL SCHOOL, (620) 625-3502 x1736 Ya F October 2, 2018 Esteemed Band Director Selection Committee, It is my honor and privilege to recommend James Gutierrez to be the band director at your fine school. In the short time that I have been working with Mr. Gutierrez as my student teacher, he has shown that not only is he extremely knowledgeable of music content, but he has demonstrated an intuitive, considerate, and kind approach to teaching students which I believe to be the most important characteristic of a teacher. His high standards, keen ear, and students-first attitude make him a prime candidate for your faculty The first day I met with James Gutierrez, I point-blank asked him why he wants to work in such a difficult field. His response was that he wanted to provide as many youth possible with great opportunities that music presents. From then on, he continues to put students first and make sure they are having the best experience possible. He not only discusses music in and of itself, but he uses it as a vehicle to teach students how to be better humans—teaching life skills through Music. He builds relationships with his students by checking in with them daily sometimes as a whole group, sometimes one-on-one. He finds ways to joke with students and add levity to class so that students are having fun which makes them more receptive to learning, He also gives up his lunch every day so that students can make up tests & get one-on-one help on their instrument. Mr. Gutierrez is always putting his students ahead of his own needs and making sure that they are successful in all they do, Mr. Gutierrez has been less of a student teacher the past semester, and more like an assistant director. Iam always impressed with what he knows about music and jazz, but furthermore, how he offers information and feedback in a way that is uplifting and without ego. He is a team player always thinking ahead about how he can help everyone do better. ee with him is effordess and trying to better himself so that he can provide a better experience for his students. At this point he has excelled during his student teaching that he is as much of a colleague as he is a student teacher. Working with Mr. Gutierrez has been a blessing as he already has a natural talent for teaching and wants what's best for kids. He puts students first and is always thinking of the “team.” He has shown an aptitude for all the planning it takes to teach—especially teaching a band program. He is beyond familiar with content standards and information and easily delivers it to students in a palatable way that promotes rigor and learning. I am confident that James Gutierrez will not only be fa great addition to your teaching staff, but he will become an asset to the school as he creates a band progeam that teaches students how to be better people through music. Director of Bands Anza Trail School K8