Letter of Recommendation for Sarah Nelson

It with pleasure, that I write this letter of recommendation for Sarah Nelson, who is an outstanding and
aspiring educator. Sarah joined the staff of our CLC (Community Learning Center) at Dawes Middle School
prior the onset of first quarter, August 2013. Dawes serves over 450, sixth eighth grade students where
over 60% of households qualify for free or reduced lunch benefits. Our CLC on a daily basis averages 98
students over the course of the school year with a total of 303 students reached. Our CLC initiative is
structured into three academies; Arts & Humanities, Sports, Recreation & Wellness and S.T.E.M. (Science,
Engineering, Technology & Math).
Sarah was hired specifically to be a club instructor within our S.T.E.M. Academy. Each semester she is
charged with the implementation of two clubs. This includes naming the clubs, designing curriculum,
developing weekly lesson plans, and planning outcomes for the students. Additionally, she must market the
club to existing CLC students and potentially new participants by compiling a club blurb and other
advertisement material for teachers and parents. Sarah works collaboratively and cooperatively with her
immediate supervisor, who is the Academy Leader for S.T.E.M. As a club facilitator, she is required to
maintain attendance, introduce new concepts for each days lesson and exhibit exemplary classroom
management as well as engage the students. She masters all of these elements with skill and ease.
Sarah possesses strong communication skills. She exhibits this by communicating with parents in person
and via email as necessary, interaction with school administration, school staff, and her co-workers on the
CLC staff. Sarah maintains a professional presence with her students, and she uses positive influence as a
model to motivate student to achieve. Last spring, Sarah played a lead role in coordinating our science fair, a
joint venture with our lead elementary feeder school. She secured most of the judges, the judging score
cards, and maintained constant communication with the elementary school, contact at the University (the
venue for our fair), school instructional staff and other district personnel. Her leadership and follow-through
ensured success of this event and I received many compliments regarding her efforts.
It without question, I am convinced Sarah is passionate, committed, and knowledgeable about her chosen
field. What makes her outstanding is her easy manner with students and she constantly looks for new and
interesting ways to help them explore nature and the wonders of science. If you have any questions about
this recommendation, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Karen Bell-Dancy, CLC Coordinator

(402) 436- 1211
kbell2@lps.org