January 25, 2021

To Whom It May Concern​:

It’s my absolute pleasure to recommend ​Ms. Megan Ross ​for your consideration for
employment. She is truly an aberration to modern education. Not only is she incredibly
culturally and empathetically aware, but her passion for education and her ability to
balance the Covid crisis, a fluctuating hybrid and block schedule, along with Troy High’s
very rigorous curriculum, (along with her coaching activities outside of school and MSU
classes) have only enabled her credentials exponentially.

She is, without a doubt, the best student intern I have ever had in my 18 years of
teaching.

I’ve had absolute joy in sharing my 9th grade Honors English classes with ​Ms. Ross​,
which requires incorporation of Troy’s 6C’s for 21st century college-readiness:
Creativity, Critical Thinking, Citizenship, Character, Communication, and Collaboration.
She has proven herself to be highly effective in modeling and teaching all six of these
categories among our full three sections of 9 Honors English.

Of course, this would be expected of any intern by the end of the year, but by November,
Ms. Ross​ had already wow’d me. She anticipated the needs of the students, asked
questions about objectives, found her own resources and also used resources from
collaborative sessions with other 9 Honors teachers, to implement within her teaching.
She was always thoroughly prepared with slides to show me ahead of time, asked for
guidance when she needed it, and handled some unexpected situations.
Situation #1: Covid​. While each school district handled this differently, Troy’s schedule
fluctuated often; and while it gave me a few more grey hairs, ​Ms. Ross​ exuded
flexibility with aplomb.

Situation #2: Also teaching her minor TESOL​ with another cooperating teacher, which
was so varied among its learners in terms of their diversity and levels of English
speaking skills.

Situation #3: Difficult parents and students​. While many teachers don’t encounter this
issue until their first year, or later, Ms. Ross and I had one very antagonistic student and
parent. While this may have deterred many interns from emails and conversations with
the parent and the counselor, ​Ms. Ross​ was ready and able to listen, join the
conversation, and work well with all parties involved.

Situation #4: Grading​. Never have I had an intern look at ​all ​of my feedback on the first
essay our new high schoolers wrote, but she was able to ​grade approximately 90
assignments in addition to essays​ within a timely manner, grades according to my
standards, and specific feedback. And that’s just for her 9 Honors classes.

Situation #5: “Student Support”​. Troy initiated a Student Support time from
12:55-1:40pm this year. As incoming 9th graders, many students were obviously anxious
about not only starting high school, but learning via Zoom, understanding assignments,
and wondering about their grades. ​Ms. Ross ​was always willing and able to conference
with students one on one during this time and always worked towards moving students
forward with both empathy and challenge.

Situation #6: PD​. Furthermore, Troy allotted for Professional Development time every
day from 1:40-2:10pm, where ​Ms. Ross​ and I were able to collaborate every day with
one another, in addition to working with the other two teachers from 9 Honors. She was
always seen as a colleague ​because she was ​from the get-go: both contributing and
receiving pertinent and exciting materials and ideas.

When ​Ms. Ross ​teaches, writes, speaks, and publishes her thoughts and words; I often
find myself asking the question: ​who’s the mentor and who’s the intern?

With her, there is only admiration, adoration, love, and loss.

But my loss is your gain.

Without a doubt, I confidently recommend ​Ms. Megan Ross​ for employment as a

full-time faculty member. As a dedicated and knowledgeable teacher and an all-around
wonderfully positive individual, I know that she will be a beneficial addition to any
district.

Please feel free to contact me at ​mfoster@troy.k12.mi.us​ should you like to further

discuss her qualifications and experience. I’d be happy to expand on my
recommendation.

Best,

Megan L. Foster 

Megan L. Foster

AP Seminar/Honors English Teacher