College of Education Department of ‘Counseling, Educational Peychalogy, and ‘Special Eoueston rekon zaFar tn Rin 3 Eos Losing, Mt 17 ge 197 su appointee MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY March 31, 2016 Dear Adeinstratos and Huron Resource Personne 'm pleased to recommend to you Mackenzie Elliott as an exceptionally talented general and special education teacher. As her MSU field instructor, | have been imprassed by Mackenzie's ability fo effectively design creative lessons fer learning abjectives. Additionally, she skillfully engages hex students during the delivery of thoselessons. | have observed her working with kindeygarteners at Forest Elementary Schaol and resource room students a Gill Elementary School, schools within Farmington Public Schools of Farmington, Michigan. In both settings, her commitment to providing the students with excellent learning opportunities is evident, While working at Forest Elementary Mackenzie enthusiastically collaborated writh staff members throughout her internship. She prepared lessons after considering many resources, using many available technologies to engage the kindergarten students. She developed effective management strategies while using the workshop format in the areas of reading, writing, social studies and ‘mathematics. She designed a writing workshop unit which exemplified guided learning with classroom published outcome. The writing process becanie very tangible for the youngest oF students! Currently, asa special education intern teacher, Mackenzie has shown flexibility and initiative in planning and delivering instruction in the areas of writing, eeading and mathematics toa range of students including kindergarteners, 2"*grade and.@™ grade students. She has individualized lessons based on assessment results and individual gals, Several 4” grade students with similar needs provided Mackenzie with the opportunity te design small group instruction and activities in writing and mathematics. While developing lesson plans she included games, songs and refletive conversation as means of involving students in learning activities. Aca intern/within the special education program of Gill Elementary, Mackenzie has observed and participated with her special education mentor teather in the planning and delivery of IEP meetings for students. She has Gesigned instruction based on these meetings for the resource students While devoting much of her time and efforts directly toward her classream experiences, Mackenrie has also participated in a vanety af prafesstonal trainings to further develop her oun skills and expertise, including MSU master level education classes.as well as the friday internship Seminar throughout the year. She has shown her commitment to the school communities of her internship placements by participating in al staff meetings and parent-teacher canferences. Her mentor teachers have noted that her thaughtful contributions and reflections are much appreciated by. parents and fellow teachers Mackenzie's caring management style, commitment to her students, well organized and thoraugh lesson planning, and collegiality with school staff indicate that she will be a highly effective and regarded teacher within general or special education. | am delighted to recommend her as a talented educator! sincerely, Keates ratty Fedéwa Field Instructor College of Education Department of Counseling. Educational Psychology, and Special Education Michigan State Univer Email: Kedewagmsu.edu Gel: (517}410-7079 FD unr,