Department of Communication Disorders

and Special Education

Norfolk, Virginia 23529
Office: 757-683-4117; Fax: 757-683-5593
Special Education: 757-683-3226
Speech-Language Pathology: 757-683-4117
February 8, 2023

Dear Sir or Ma’am:

I would like to recommend Morgan Rodgers as a most highly qualified and excellent educator for the
teaching position for which she has applied. I had the privilege of first meeting and working with
Morgan in December 2021, when she registered for a spring 2022 semester course I taught. The
course, Instructional Design I: Learner Characteristics and Assessment (SPED 402), focused on the
characteristics of children with diverse learning needs and from diverse multi-cultural backgrounds and
the complex issues surrounding assessment. I opened this asynchronous course on December 24,
2021, so that students could familiarize themselves with the materials, read the syllabus, and order the
textbook. Morgan asked if she could begin working on the coursework for class and since it is
asynchronous, I agreed. Morgan worked every day of her winter break on SPED 402, which is
considered by most to be a very rigorous course. Morgan completed the entire 16-week course by the
third week in January—and her work was stellar. I told Morgan that I have easily had 2,000 students
complete SPED 402 since I began teaching it, and no one has ever done what she did. She is literally
one person in 2,000 students! I also taught another special education course in which Morgan was
enrolled, Classroom and Behavioral Management Techniques for Students with Diverse Needs (SPED
411) in Spring 2022. This synchronous class focused on positive behavior management, supports, and
functional behavioral assessment for students with diverse learning needs and from diverse multi-
cultural backgrounds. Morgan was consistently the first person to turn in any work, and her work
always exceeded expectations. Throughout the semester, Morgan’s thoughts and writing focused on
best practices for all students. On each topic that we covered, she was well prepared to think critically,
write professionally, ask pertinent questions, and seek real-life application of the material. She always
displayed a collaborative spirit.

Morgan is currently enrolled in SPED 486, her teacher candidate internship. Her student teaching
supervisor is highly impressed with Morgan, which comes as no surprise to me! Morgan’s special
education background will certainly aid her in supporting and serving a diverse population of students.
And her commitment to teaching shines through in everything she undertakes!

Morgan will complete her Bachelor of Science in Special Education at the end of this spring semester,
in May 2023. She currently carries a 3.97 grade point average. In addition to Morgan’s academic
pursuits, she has a solid history of membership in academic organizations that promote volunteerism
and leadership. For example, Morgan has assisted ODU’s Student Council for Exceptional Children
(SCEC), volunteering in various functions and capacities. Through her efforts with the SCEC, she has
worked to raise awareness in support of students with disabilities.
Morgan’s presence added to the quality of my class. She will be an asset to your school; the children
with whom she will work in the future will benefit from her proactive willingness and intent to reach
all students.

Very sincerely,

Lisa L. Morin, Ph.D.

Undergraduate Program Director/Lecturer
Child Study Center, Room 116
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA 23529
(757) 683-4652 (office) / (757) 683-5593 (fax)

Old Dominion University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution