April

 22,  2020  
 
Dear  Agricultural  Search  Committee:  
 
I  am  so  very  pleased  to  write  this  letter  of  recommendation  for  Mr.  Jody  Benjamin  Kilgore.  “Benji”  is  seeking  a  position  
as  an  agricultural  science  teacher,  and  I  think  that  he  is  an  excellent  candidate!  I  have  served  as  his  teacher  educator  at  
Murray  State  University,  his  academic  advisor,  and  his  university  supervisor  during  his  student  teaching  experience.  I  
have  known  Mr.  Kilgore  for  approximately  six  years  as  I  first  became  acquainted  with  him  while  he  was  still  a  high  school  
student  at  Caldwell  County  High  School.  
 
Mr.  Kilgore  consistently  shows  an  aptitude  for  teaching  that  usually  only  comes  after  several  years  in  the  profession.    He  
cares  very  much  about  engaging  students  and  is  at  ease  when  dealing  with  a  variety  of  classroom  management  
situations.    Students  respond  well  to  his  management  techniques  because  he  is  diligent  about  working  with  students,  
rather  than  working  against  them.  He  works  with  all  ages  of  students  from  pre-­‐K  and  Kindergarten  through  high  school.  
While  in  college,  he  spent  significant  time  substituting  across  all  grade  levels  and  practicing  his  proactive  management  
regularly.    
 
Further,  Mr.  Kilgore  has  great  appreciation  for  the  leadership  development  and  supervised  agricultural  experience  
components  of  a  total  agricultural  program.    He  strives  to  provide  students  with  leadership  experiences,  through  the  
FFA,  that  will  allow  them  to  gain  confidence  and  experience  success.    During  his  student  teaching  experience,  he  has  
been  encouraged  to  meet  with  students  and  their  parents  at  their  homes  so  that  he  can  gain  a  better  understanding  of  
the  environment  in  which  students  exist.  He  is  also  comfortable  meeting  parents  and  supervising  agricultural  
experiences  in  the  workplace  and  in  school-­‐based  programs.  His  student  teaching  placement  at  Union  County  High  
School  was  with  students  actively  engaged  in  production  agriculture  and  this  is  also  a  personal  strength  in  his  
background,  so  he  will  be  able  to  relate  to  and  provide  mentorship  for  students  from  this  background  as  well.  
 
Mr.  Kilgore  also  functions  amazingly  well  with  his  peers  and  supervisors.    He  exhibits  collegiality  at  all  times,  and  is  not  
afraid  of  feedback.    He  willingly  asks  for  critiques  on  his  work  and  attempts  to  adapt  those  suggestions  into  his  teaching  
performance.    Mr.  Kilgore  is  so  adept  in  developing  his  craft  and  his  professional  relationships  that  his  cooperating  
teachers  at  his  student  teaching  site  included  an  NTI  “assignment”  to  write  a  note  to  Mr.  Kilgore  since  they  did  not  get  to  
say  “good-­‐bye”  to  one  another.  He  has  a  stack  of  letters  in  his  possession  now.  The  students  and  the  faculty  respect  and  
appreciate  Mr.  Kilgore.  
 
I  fully  believe  that  Benji  is  an  excellent  fit  for  your  high  school  agricultural  program.    He  is  still  diligently  engaging  with  his  
student  teaching  experience  at  Union  County  High  School  and  will  graduate  in  May.  He  even  spent  multiple  days  
assisting  with  the  greenhouse  sales  on  site.  He  will  undoubtedly  add  to  the  high  quality  of  your  program!      
 
Should  you  require  further  comment  on  Mr.  Kilgore’s  appropriateness  for  this  position,  please  contact  me  directly  at  
either  270.978.7921  or  kbellah@murraystate.edu  at  your  earliest  convenience.  
 
Sincerely,  
 
 
Kimberly  A.  Bellah,  PhD  
Associate  Professor  &  Agricultural  Education  Program  Coordinator  

Agricultural Education ✪ Dr. Kimberly A. Bellah, Associate Professor

206. S. Oakley Applied Sciences ✪ Murray, KY 42071 ✪ email: kbellah@murraystate.edu