April

27, 2017

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to recommend Brittany Georgette for a job teaching middle or high
school mathematics. I have known Ms. Georgette since the fall of 2015, when I was
her instructor for a yearlong secondary mathematics teaching methods course,
which included practicum experiences in a middle school and a high school. This
spring I am the instructor for clinical practice seminar, in which she and other math
student teachers discussed issues related to their placements. As a result, I have
been able to observe her in a variety of teaching contexts, as well as evaluate her
ability to analyze and understand a wide range of issues connected to teaching and
learning.

One thing that stands out about Ms. Georgette is her knowledge of mathematics.
Her work on mathematics assessments in my class showed excellent understanding
of the content, but even more showed outstanding knowledge of how students
might think and make sense of the mathematics, including common mistakes and
misconceptions. This ability to put herself in the minds of her students will be
invaluable in planning and responding to students in her classroom.

Another thing that sets Ms. Georgette apart from her peers is her perseverance and
self-knowledge. When she started out in my methods class, by her own admission,
she was shy and had difficulty imagining herself as a leader or an authority. During
her time in my class she blossomed, beginning by listening to others, and gradually
participating more and more, to where she now is a leader in my seminar. She is
willing to ask questions and be the first to speak up, and is happy to share her own
experiences, both positive and negative, so that others may learn from them. Part of
what is so extraordinary about this growth is how self-aware she is about it, and
how she connects it to specific aspects of teaching. She writes with great insight and
specificity about teaching moves that helped her overcome her own shyness as a
student, and moves that she uses as a teacher that bolster her authority and support
her students. Because she is so aware of her own growth and how it connects to her
experiences as a student and moves that she has made and observed, she is
especially sensitive to the needs of her own students, and to how her actions can
support them. Again, this will prove invaluable to her as she works to support
diverse groups of students in her own classroom.

Department of STEAM Education

College of Education
201 Mullica Hill Road 856-256-5797
Glassboro, NJ 08028-1701 856-256-5619 fax




Ms. Georgette has long worked in jobs that require skills she will need in the
classroom. She has tutored mathematics at all levels with a wide range of students.
She has overseen children in a variety of contexts, including working closely with an
autistic child. I recommend Ms. Georgette highly. Her dedication and high standards
will be a great asset to any school and math department.

Sincerely,

Dr. Robert Wieman
Assistant Professor, STEAM Education

Department of STEAM Education

College of Education
201 Mullica Hill Road 856-256-5797
Glassboro, NJ 08028-1701 856-256-5619 fax