Maire Elementary School

740 Cadieux
Grosse Pointe, Michigan 48230
Phone: 313/432-4300
Fax: 313/432-4302

To Whom It May Concern,

It is with great confidence that I recommend Julia Ruggirello as a teacher for your school
district. Julia is an amazing young woman who exhibits wonderful skills in working with
students. I know that once you have had the pleasure of meeting Julia, you will recognize
her level of skill, her warmth, and her willingness to work hard to succeed!
Julia Ruggirello completed the fall semester of her internship with me at Maire
Elementary School in a fifth grade regular education classroom. Julia was part of a fifth
grade team-teaching format in which language arts was taught in homeroom classes for
half of the day, while the other half of the day consisted of students switching to three
smaller instructional groups for math, science, and social studies.
Julia did a very thorough job in preparing to teach the fifth grade students. She had the
opportunity to teach social studies, writing, word study, and math. Julia showed great
skill in preparing lessons that were actively engaging for the students. For Constitution
Day, for example, Julia planned a lesson in which the students worked in pairs with
technology (an iPad app) to research the different Articles of the Constitution. After
learning about a particular Article, the students created a poster to demonstrate their
learning. After the posters were completed, Julia had the students present their
information to the other students in the class. Then Julia displayed the posters in the hall
to share this information with the rest of the student body. Julia has a very clear vision of
the outcomes of her lessons, and she is able to plan a clear path of instruction to enable
her students to successfully meet those outcomes. Julia worked with the students
throughout language arts to teach them about writing personal narratives and logical
arguments. Julia would often access the internet and other resources in order to find
creative and meaningful ways to help students learn and understand the concepts she was
teaching them. Julia worked with the fifth grade math specialist to plan and instruct a
variety of math lessons for the fifth grade students. Julia did a great job throughout the
semester of reflecting on her teaching, soliciting advice and feedback, and employing
new ideas, techniques, and strategies.
Working with students is one of Julias greatest strengths! Julias meaningful connection
with each of her students is evident in the way that she greets them each day, instructs
them during lessons, and responds to their needs. Julia continually looks for ways to
validate students thinking as they respond to lessons and take risks with their thinking
and learning. Julia was able to create a warm and supportive relationship with her
students, while still maintaining an authoritative presence in the classroom. Julia was
able to read students very well, which enabled her to work with students on an

individual basis, addressing their strengths, weaknesses, and concerns. The students felt a
deep connection with Julia due to her genuine warmth and concern for them. Julias
encouragement and validation of the students gave them a great deal of confidence in
themselves as learners in her class.
Julia was able to successfully manage the students in her fifth grade classes. The large
number of students in our homeroom class could pose challenges to any teacher, due to
the overcrowded conditions in the classroom. Yet, Julia was able to effectively employ
the strategies and procedures in our school-wide PBIS behavior system. The students
responded well to Julias consistent implementation of classroom behavior expectations.
Each morning, Julia would check in with the students to see if their parents had signed
their assignment books. This allowed Julia the opportunity to connect with each student
individually on a daily basis. During instruction, Julia was able to redirect off-task
students with positive affirmations of students who were following procedures and
expectations appropriately. This positive feedback reminded students to maintain focus
on the task at hand, while recognizing those students who were choosing responsible and
attentive behaviors.
Julia showed a high degree of professionalism in the classroom as well as throughout the
school. Julia attended Professional Learning Committee (PLC) meetings and staff
meetings each week. She offered insights and ideas in a collaborative manner. Julia
often assisted staff members with technology issues, as she has very well-developed
skills in this area. Julia also attended professional development workshops with staff
members from across the district. In addition to attendance at professional meetings,
Julia chose to become a member of the Maire School Diversity Committee. She attended
after-school meetings as part of this Maire School community group, consisting of
teachers, the building administrator, and parents. Julia has established a very
professional relationship with all staff members at Maire.
Throughout the semester that I have worked with Julia, she has exhibited all of the
qualities of an effective educator. Her strong ability to connect with students, plan and
implement engaging lessons, and develop professional relationships with staff members
and parents, indicate her strong capabilities as a teacher. Julias ability to work hard and
continually reflect on her teaching will allow her to grow and flourish throughout her
career. I highly recommend Julia as an outstanding addition to any teaching staff.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Barbara L. Davis
Cell (586) 925-0099
Barbara.davis@gpschools.org