[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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