George Hoeppner's Recommendation Letter - Catherine

[Signed hard-copy on Dhahran Hills Elementary letterhead]

October 3, 2018

To Whom it May Concern-

I write this Letter of Recommendation having had the wonderful opportunity to work with Catherine Kaun for the past four years at Dhahran Hills School in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.  In that time I was amazed by the classroom environment Catherine established, enjoyed each and every one of our collegial conversations, and loved visiting her classroom and watching her perfecting her craft.  Catherine’s classroom is one that we would all love for our own children to be in and one of the reasons it is so easy to write her a glowing letter.

Within seconds of entering Catherine’s classroom it becomes apparent that she is where she belongs.  The manner in which she presents material and the ensuing conversations with students are heartfelt, uplifting, and positive.  Her students know they are cared for and know that they reside in an environment where they can take chances and feel safe.  There is a calm in her room that can only be brought about from a teacher who has set clear expectations, has faith in her students, and is willing to let her students color outside of the lines from time to time.  I would place Catherine’s classroom management and ability to set a classroom environment as two of her greatest skills.

One of my greatest enjoyments in working in schools is the opportunity for each of us to grow in our profession through dialogues with colleagues.  I would place Catherine right at the top for people who have helped me grow and who I have most enjoyed my conversations.  She is able to discuss educational topics and challenge convention while doing so in a thoughtful, professional manner.  Her ability to carry on these discussions while maintaining respect for everyone present are one of the reasons that she is such a respected member of our team and the school at large.  Any school would benefit from having Catherine on staff and working with colleagues throughout the building.

Throughout the year I had the opportunity to be in Catherine’s classroom many times and see her lessons carried out.  It is clear that she has taken all of her students’ needs and abilities into account and has thought through what steps need to be taken to reach the end goal.  Her lessons flow with equal amounts laughter and rigor, challenge and success, and students feel better about themselves for having been a part of that day’s lesson.  The effortless nature with which she teaches belies the time and work that go into her lessons, something evident when discussing her lessons with her afterwards.  Her room is an extremely enjoyable stop on a tour of our building, filled with smiling faces and engaged minds.

It is without hesitation that I give Catherine Kaun my highest recommendation and wish her the best in all future endeavors.

Sincerely,

Andy Hoeppner

Associate Principal, Dhahran Hills School

Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

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Christine Ahrens's Recommendation Letter - Catherine

[Original Letter emailed to us.  We are trying to get an original on Yangon International School Letterhead.]

October 30, 2018

Letter of Recommendation for Catherine Kaun

To Whom It May Concern,

It is my honor and privilege to recommend Catherine Kaun for an elementary teaching position.  As principal of Yangon International School (YIS), I had the privilege of supervising Catherine as she taught first and second grade at YIS. During all formal and informal observations Catherine displayed professionalism, enthusiasm, and exceptional pedagogical skills.

Catherine is a dynamic teacher who tirelessly works to provide students many opportunities for experiential, hands-on learning. Catherine always makes herself available to students before and after school when they need extra help, and she always has been quick to respond to concerned parents who want to schedule conferences.

Catherine is always organized and well-prepared for class. She sets exceptionally high standards and expectations for every student in her classes, and provides them with clear, written objectives on the material to be mastered. Catherine has a talent for engaging students in compelling discussions, motivating them to be inquisitive and think outside the box. She is a caring and compassionate teacher who genuinely wants every student to succeed and reach their maximum potential.

A well-liked, charismatic, creative and well respected teacher, Catherine is committed to ensuring academic and social success to each of her students. On a consistent basis, Catherine has demonstrated exceptional classroom management and develops a positive rapport with students, colleagues and parents.

Without reservation, Catherine has my highest recommendation for any elementary position.  Please feel free to contact me should you need and further information.

Sincerely,

Christine Ahrens

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Matt Woodward's Recommendation Letter - Catherine

[Signed hard-copy on International School Nido de Aguilas letterhead.]

June, 2011

To Whom It May Concern:

I highly recommend Catherine Kaun as a candidate for a teaching position.  I have known Catherine for 3 years as her direct supervisor.  During these three years, Catherine has exhibited mastery teaching that exceeds the expectations of teachers.

As a grade 3 teacher here at Nido de Aguilas, Catherine has been heavily involved in major shifts that we have made with curriculum.  Catherine serves as the science curriculum rep for her team, however regardless of the content area Catherine has offered expert level advice that has helped us make huge improvements.  Our school has recently adopted the UbD planning methodology.  Catherine has led her team in the creation of units that lead to deeper enduring understandings.  She is masterful at aligning standards and benchmarks to key assessments that provide opportunities for students to truly show their learning.  She was instrumental in our decision to move in a different direction with our science curriculum.  We went from a school that had students sitting in desks using large textbooks, to a school that has multiple terrariums set up in the classroom with tarantulas and scorpions.  Students journal about the life cycle, eco environment and food chain.  It has students buzzing with excitement that simply cannot be captured without expert knowledge and guidance.

Students in Catherine's classroom are challenged, respected, and heard.  She cares deeply about her kids and she gives them her undivided attention.  Because she has taught in multiple levels, she brings a wealth of knowledge with how readers, writers and mathematicians develop over time.  Students are held to the highest of expectations.  However, Catherine does this in a motivating way that honors where students are as individuals and where they can go as individuals.  Her teaching scheme is polished.  Strategies vary effortlessly as she scaffolds, adjusts and completely starts over based on what the students need.  Perhaps her greatest strength is the love for reading she infuses in each child through the use of read alouds.  The center of her program, read alouds become epic tales that find their way into writing, math, social studies and science.

Catherine has wonderful rapport with her colleagues, students and parents.  She uses good judgement when challenging the process to make improvements, while still honoring the past history of how decisions were made prior to her arrival.  She is an active member of our community, starting groups that foster community.  She lead a group of hikers once a week outside of school time that built community bonds and emphasized school goals of health and well-being.  She also is involved in other after school activities that relate with community service and supporting Nido de Aguilas.  She also has led the addition of field trips that bring parents into the hands-on classroom away from school.  All of these trips have been followed up with positive feedback from parents saying they [are] thankful to be part of such an organized event that was safe, caring, and educational.

The next school that is lucky to have Catherine as part of their team will be thankful for years to come.  Catherine is a must hire that will completely impact students, teachers and the community at large.  Do yourself a favor and get her on your team immediately.

Matt Woodward 
ES/ECC Assistant Principal & Curriculum Director
International School of Nido de Aguilas

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Kathy Morabet's Recommendation Letter - Catherine

[Signed hard-copy on Rabat American School letterhead.]


October 19, 2007
To Whom It May Concern


Catherine Calcutt Kaun was employed as a first grade teacher at Rabat American School, Rabat, Morocco, from August, 2000 through June, 2005, and from August, 2006 through the present school year. The Rabat American School is a college-preparatory, prekindergarten-12th grade day school accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.


Catherine is a master educator. From her first year here her contribution to the school has been characterized by outstanding instruction, leadership in school projects, full participation in the social and recreational life of the school, and insightful observation and recommendations for the good of all.


In Catherine’s classroom students work cooperatively, independently, and diligently. She has many strategies to bring out the best in each student, build each student’s self esteem, and help her students learn how to learn and be aware of their own progress. She is able to work with both native and non-native speakers, using strategies to build vocabulary, read and listen for understanding, and express their academic thinking. She has a full “toolbox” of classroom management techniques that keep students focused and on task. Her approach is positive, organized, materials-rich, and student-centered. She communicates frequently with parents about the whole child, sharing her insights and recommendations for improvement when needed. She keeps me informed of any issues that might arise, so that I can be prepared to support her efforts with parents and students.


Catherine is a leader. Over her years at RAS she has headed committees and task groups, including report card revision, Social Studies curriculum revision, and the Elementary Steering Committee from 2002-2005. Upon returning to the school she has continued as a member of the Social Studies curriculum committee and is a member of the Language Arts Across the Curriculum committee. She has a fine sense of process, and can find a way to cut through the haze and structure a task. Her colleagues are always pleased to work in any group she heads. When not leading herself, she is a supportive group member, contributing her ideas in a straightforward, up-front manner. She can be counted on to come through with anything she commits to doing.


Catherine has a high standard of professionalism. When she undertakes a task, whether it’s one she would have chosen or not, she completes it to a high standard. She has been the mentor for two student teachers and is currently working with a third master's degree candidate. She has done an unusually thorough job of meeting mentoring expectations. She worked with a new first grade teacher in 2004-05, earning that teacher’s eloquently-expressed thanks and admiration. All assistants who have worked with her have loved being in her class. She led an after-school jump rope activity for first and second graders for several years, attracting many students and putting on an impressive performance at the end.


With her husband, Matt, Catherine has participated fully in the social life of the staff. She and Matt have hosted a series of Thanksgiving dinners that have become something close to a tradition at the school. Their house is often open for “sundowners”. They are a sports-loving couple, and Catherine is a regular member of the school golfing group. They are fit and healthy.


With her wide experience in so many areas of education, her intelligence, her finely-honed skills, and her professionalism, Catherine has brought so much to our school. I recommend her without hesitation to any position in education. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you should need additional information.


Kathryn C. Morabet
Elementary Principal, Rabat American School
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Dr. Paul Johnson's recommendation - Catherine

[Signed hard-copy on Rabat American School letterhead.]

November 12, 2007

To Whom It May Concern
Re: Catherine Calcutt-Kaun

I have worked with Catherine Calcutt-Kaun and her spouse, Matt Kaun, for two school years (06-07 and 07-08). Matt and Catherine had taught at RAS for four years through the 04-05 year, then decided to work for a couple of years stateside before going back overseas. When the school had a late and unexpected vacancy late in the 05-06 year, they agreed to return to RAS. I had not hired them originally, and did not know them, but they came highly recommended. Shortly after they returned to the school, I realized that asking them back was one of the best hiring decisions I’d made in my career. Simply put, they are a class act.

Catherine’s classroom is abuzz with active, student-centered learning. The management is focused and purposeful, yet warm and welcoming. Students, parents and colleagues feel welcome and a part of the education of the students. Catherine communicates frequently and clearly with parents; she collaborates with other teachers, both classroom and specialist; and with her students. Catherine is one of those rare teachers who has an intuitive sense of balance.

Catherine and Matt are very visible in the school community. They willingly volunteer to help with the many activities of the school, and do so with an upbeat, positive attitude. They attend school events and encourage students outside of the classroom. If Catherine’s contributions during the last two years are indicative of her entire 6 years at RAS, the school has been very fortunate to have them as part of the community.

Overall, I am extremely impressed with the professionalism of the Kauns, coupled with a very positive, caring and rational outlook and demeanor. I cannot speak highly enough of them, and feel they will leave a rather large void in our community should they go elsewhere. We are fortunate to have had them as community members for six years, and know they will be an outstanding additional to their next school community. They are among a small handful of educators for whom I give my unqualified recommendation.

Dr. Paul Johnson
Director, Rabat American School
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David Randall's Recommendation Letter - Catherine

[Signed hard-copy written on Rabat American School letterhead]

June 7, 2005
Letter of Reference for Catherine Calcutt Kaun

Since August 2002, I have served as the Director of the Rabat American School (RAS). During that time, Catherine Calcutt Kaun has served as a grade one teacher in our school. I am pleased to write a letter of recommendation for her.

Principals are much more qualified to address the pedagogical strengths of each of our teachers. In the case of Ms. Calcutt Kaun, however, I can attest to the fact that she is one of those rare individuals who can teach first grade and do so superbly. She is recognized as a master of her craft. This year we hired a new teacher for grade one to teach the other section in the room next door to Catherine. Recently, that teacher was extolling Catherine for all she had done to assist her in her first year back in teaching after an absence of several years. I thought one of her most telling statements was that Catherine was leaving and that she would not be the teacher of her two children, but she was grateful that Catherine had been her teacher.

Catherine is one of those unselfish staff members who is willing to share ideas, materials, and time. In addition to being a master teacher, she also contributes in many ways to our school community. She is always at the ready to help the school improve itself. Among her many activities in her five year tenure at RAS have been:

Young Author’s Festival organization committee member (2001 and 2005)
Social Studies Curriculum Committee leader (2002-03)
Report Cards Committee leader (2002-03)
Cooperating Teacher for George Mason University “Fast Train” student teachers
Elementary Steering Committee member (2003-05)
After school jump rope activity teacher (2004, 05)
Ladies’ golf group organizer (2002-2005)
Organizer of staff newspaper subscriptions

To say that Catherine has been involved and an integral part of our school community would be a classic understatement. She is a valued member of our community whose departure will be greatly felt. Catherine and her husband, Matt, frequently open their home to the entire staff for Thanksgiving celebrations or sundowners to celebrate key dates in a school year. Even on the eve of their final departure from Rabat, they have invited all staff to their home to celebrate the last work day of the 2004-2005 school year. They have also helped to organize bicycle trips and golf weekends.

Catherine Calcutt Kaun is a master teacher and valued member of our school community. Her contributions to our school have been numerous and positive. She is just the type of teacher that any school would be blessed to have on its staff. Do not pass up the opportunity to hire her if that opportunity presents itself. Your school will be greatly enriched by having her on your staff.

David A. Randall
Director, Rabat American School
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Dixie Stanton's Recommendation Letter - Catherine

[Signed hard-copy written on American Community School of Abu Dhabi letterhead]

June 10, 1998
To Whom it May Concern:

I am pleased to recommend Ms. Catherine Calcutt who joined ACS in 1995 and who has just completed three years of teaching first grade in the Elementary School.

Catherine is skilled in instructional and curriculum areas and her instruction is well grounded in appropriate practices. Catherine plans organized lessons at the appropriate level and uses a variety of learning styles. Catherine’s classroom climate is one of self-motivated learning and success. Her trademark phrase is that her students are “active learners”, and she reinforces independent thinking and individualized approaches to learning. She is an encouraging teacher and makes excellent use of positive reinforcement strategies. Catherine uses both individual and cooperative learning techniques for her students. She is appreciative of the various cultures represented by her first graders and uses their cultural differences to enhance classroom environment.

Catherine displays breadth and depth of subject matter knowledge. She is keen to share her knowledge with staff and does so in such a way that her system and style is contagious. She works closely on curriculum planning and development with her colleagues and administrators... she is always willing to be a part of curriculum work and curriculum innovation. Her relations and communication with staff, students, and parents are exemplary. She is tolerant, straightforward, and positive in her communication.

Her professional competencies include dependability, punctuality, a professional attitude and ethical behavior in all school-related matters. She keeps accurate classroom records and submits reports and records punctually. Catherine is a resourceful professional and a consultant to all. She displays a flair for supervision and administration but at the present time prefers the classroom to administrative work.

Over the past three academic years her specific contributions outside of the classroom and instructional program have been many; Catherine has been a valued participant in social studies, science, and math committee work. She has served as president of the local chapter of The Arabian Reading Association, and has been instrumental in its inception and continued success. Catherine has offered many after-school activities throughout the past three years, among them jump rope, board games, and fun in the classroom. She is active in the wider school community, volunteering with the Holiday Bazaar, Halloween Carnival, Spring Carnival, swim meets, and other all school events.

Catherine has excellent rapport with students, parents, and staff. Her clear communication and knowledge of child development and skill levels have helped to create a solid reputation among happy parents and the admiration and appreciation of the administration. I consider Catherine in the top five per cent of teachers with whom I have worked over the past thirty three years in education. She has my highest recommendation for any job for which she is qualified.

Sincerely,

Dixie Stanton
Elementary Principal, American Community School of Abu Dhabi
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