Glendale Elementary School

1500 Beaver Valley Road, Flinton, PA 16640-8901

Telephone: (814)687-4263 Fax: (814) 687-4083
Mr. Edward DiSabato Mrs. Kate Bacher
Superintendent Elementary Principal

To Whom It May Concern,

It is my honor and privilege to submit this letter of recommendation on behalf of Alexa

Schidhamemer as she applies for a teaching position. I had the privilege of working with Ms. Schidhammer
during the Spring 2021 semester when she completed her special education student teaching experience
in my life skills classroom.

One of Alexa’s greatest strengths is her desire to form meaningful relationships with her students.
Although her special education student teaching experience was only seven weeks, she was able to form
relationships with even my most difficult students. She took great care to learn the interests of each
student, and tailored her instruction and interactions with students accordingly. Additionally, Alexa should
be commended for her ability to form relationships with the support staff she worked with. Alexa excelled
at blending into a classroom with six instructional aides, Therapeutic Support Staff, and numerous service
providers. She was able to lead instruction while overseeing the interactions of support staff and students
with ease.

During her time in my classroom Alexa over saw the instruction of eight in-person and two virtual
special needs students including students with Autism, Intellectual Disabilities, Multiple Disabilities,
Speech and Language Impairments, and Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities. Alexa created and
implemented thoughtful differentiated lessons across numerous educational areas, including whole group
and individual student lessons. Alexa used every interaction with students as a learning opportunity.
Continuing to encourage social, communication, daily living, and behavioral skills throughout every aspect
of the students’ day.

Alexa possesses a temperament and characteristics necessary to work with special needs
students. She is patient, caring, creative, organized, flexible, and has the ability to problem solve quickly.
Throughout her student teaching experience Alexa worked with students through a variety of behavioral
challenges, including physical and verbal aggression, spitting, and elopement. She was able to use her
knowledge of the student, the current situation, and past experience to best de-escalate the student, and
turn it into a meaningful learning experience.

Alexa has the qualities of a successful teacher. She is knowledgeable, motivated, dependable,
reflective, and willing to learning. I believe that Alexa will be an asset to any elementary school. I highly
recommend Alexa for a teaching position.

Sincerely,

Lauren Madonna
Elementary Life Skills Teacher, Glendale Elementary School