SCHOOL OF TEACHER EDUCATION

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY
SAN DIEGO, CA 92182-1153
PHONE: (619) 594-6131
FAX: (619) 594-7828

To Whom It May Concern: 4-15-24

I am pleased to write this letter of recommendation for Albert Songalia. I was Albert’s
University Supervisor during the 2023 fall semester. He was student teaching in a 2nd grade
class in a culturally diverse setting at Burton C. Tiffany Elementary School in the Chula Vista
Elementary School District.

I participated in Albert’s lesson planning, observed him teach four lessons, and reviewed these
lessons with him during our post-teaching conferences. From the beginning he impressed me
with his enthusiasm for teaching, creative lesson planning and the connections he made with
the students and his guide teacher. He was also keenly aware of the various educational and
emotional needs of the students in his class.

When planning and delivering instruction Albert considers the developmental levels as well as
the academic and behavioral needs of all students. He plans engaging standards-based lessons.
He sets clear objectives for learning. He focuses on academic language and vocabulary
development during his lessons and creates opportunities for students to communicate.

Albert has a clear communication style that promotes focus and attention during his lessons.
He demonstrates that he cares about each student and develops rapport with the students. The
students respond well to him and feel comfortable participating in his lessons. He enhances
instruction by sharing his artistic talents with the students.

Albert analyzes student assessment data to determine next steps during his lesson planning. He
creates differentiated small group lessons based on his analysis to support all students in
multiple subject areas.

Albert has excellent verbal and written communication skills. He collaborated with me, his
guide teacher, and his San Diego State University peers to plan, implement and reflect on
instruction. He reflected on lessons and readily incorporated his reflections as well as
suggestions from his supervisors into his teaching practice. He was continually striving to
improve his practice.

THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY • Bakersfield • Channel Islands • Chico • Dominguez Hills • East Bay • Fresno • Fullerton • Humboldt • Long Beach • Los Angeles •
Maritime Academy • Monterey Bay • Northridge • Pomona • Sacramento • San Bernardino • San Diego • San Francisco • San Jose • San Luis Obispo • San Marcos • Sonoma •
Stanislaus
Albert is a caring educator who is committed to excellence. His enthusiasm for teaching and
ability to create effective lessons for students would make him an asset to your learning
community. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Ann Grimm

• Retired Teacher –Chula Vista Elementary School District (1979 – 2017)
• University Supervisor for Student Teachers – San Diego State University (August 2017 –
Present)
egrimm@sdsu.edu
(619) 997-6833