Long Beach Polytechnic High School

1600 Atlantic Avenue

school
Long Beach, California 90813 district
(562) 591-0581 Fax: (562) 591-0792
http://Ibpoly.schoolloop.com

February 15, 2023

To W h o m It M a y Concern:

1 am writing this letter on behalf o f Lauren Le. Lauren came to Poly High School under very strange
and challenge circumstances. There had been some serious personnel problems that had been escalating
for a few months and students had been caught up in this fracas. It was very tense and many students
were fragile from the incident. Lauren walked into the lion?s den. I have the room directly across from
where Lauren landed and happen to teach the subject that she was going to substitute for. I was also
concemed as a department head that we get someone into this position that could hit the ground running
and help these kids through their AP course. This fell on Lauren?s shoulders and I was immediately at
ease w i t h Laurens composure and professionalism as many o f us continued to reel from the personnel
problem. Call it an ?ignorance is bliss? moment, but Lauren came in a went to work.

W i t h confidence and composure Lauren stepped in and went to work..for two weeks and then C O V I D
hit the nation. We hada brief pause in instruction and in this period it only gave her some time to really
get ready. As it turned out, we got a youthful teacher that could navigate what the next year was going
to deliver us. In the remaining time o f the waning year Lauren was able to get many o f those students
ready to take the A P test that year. Something the previous teacher neglected to do. She worked at
building their skills with the Free Response Questions that they faced at the end o f the year. She and I
worked on how to get them ready for this challenging test in a crazy year.

Many o f our veteran teachers have Lauren to thank when it comes to getting through the C O V I D year.
Her background i n technology and her good instincts have helped numerous people since she came to
us. I t was this positive attitude and ability to j u m p right i n that influenced m y decision to retain her as a
member o f our staff. Although she was a long-term sub, she most definitely met the need o f our school
and o u r department. Upon returning for the next C O V I D year, she was a continuous helper on campus
for staff that needed immediate help w i t h a new digital learning platform, as well as continued Zoom
help. M a n y people on campus would not have gotten through the year as smoothly as they did without
the help o f Lauren.

When we finally came back together as a staff i n March o f 2021, she was there to help more people o n
our campus. She immediately took a professional role within the technology realm on campus. She did
C A N V A S trainings for people still uncomfortable w i t h the learning platform. She managed new
curriculum, helped staff with technology, all the while working on her master?s degree. This is what we
have benefitted from the whole time Lauren has been at our school.

Last year she was also elected co-chair for the History/ Social Science department. In a very short time
she has proven her competence as a young teacher. She has also been very inspiring to w o r k w i t h as co-
chairs. She is always an active and engaged leader. She continues to take risks and stretch herself as a
leader and a teacher.

To be honest, I don?t like writing this letter for Lauren. It pains me to think about losing her to another
school, but I understand it. You k n o w a teacher is good when she connects so quickly w i t h the staff.
You know she is really good when her room is constantly filled with kids at all times of the day. Lauren
w i l l only grow as a teacher because she puts so much into the job. She is a tremendously hard worker
that connects to people on all levels. With all of this said I definitely recommend Lauren Le as a teacher
and leader at your school.

Sincerely,

Michael Tinsley
( w o )

L o n g Beach Polytechnic High School

Co-Chair History Social Science depart