April 2016

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing this letter of recommendation for Jessica Boyle, who is applying for a teaching position in your
school district. I had the pleasure of being Jessicas instructor for the first and third of her three literacy courses
and her supervisor for her literacy field experience course at Alverno College, where I am an Assistant Professor
of Education. Jessica also served on the Alverno Literacy Advisory Council, of which I am the Chair. Based on
these experiences as well as my twenty years of experience as a reading specialist and chair of a district
reading/language arts department, it is my professional judgment that Jessica Boyle possesses the knowledge,
skills, and dispositions needed to be a highly effective teacher of literacy in the elementary setting.
At Alverno, Jessica took three separate literacy courses that collectively focused on literacy teaching and learning
in pre-kindergarten through elementary settings, as well as a field experience course centered on literacy teaching
and learning at the early primary level. While her first literacy course focused on literacy teaching and learning in
early childhood, her third literacy course, Literacy in Middle Childhood, concentrated on literacy teaching and
learning at the intermediate (grades 3-5/6) level. Through her work in these courses and in her field, Jessica
developed a rich foundation to effectively teach to the Common Core State Standards in English/Language Arts
by implementing a comprehensive literacy approach with children at the pre-kindergarten through the elementary
levels in developmentally appropriate ways. Throughout her coursework, she demonstrated sound expertise in her
understanding of how to meet the diverse reading and writing needs of children through a combination of explicit
teaching, guided practice, and independent practice, delivered in whole group, small group, and individual
settings. The use of assessment to inform instruction, classroom management, and the appropriate incorporation
of childrens literature were also expertly integrated into Jessicas course projects and into the literacy lessons she
planned and taught to kindergarten children. Because of the strong understanding she demonstrated in her literacy
courses and the literacy field, Jessica clearly showed that she is exceedingly well prepared to be an effective
literacy teacher for children in a variety of grade levels at the elementary school level.
Besides demonstrating an excellent understanding of effective literacy practices in her coursework, Jessica also
clearly displayed many fine personal attributes of a professional educator. Most impressive were her passion and
enthusiasm for teaching and learning, her work ethic, and her easy facility to collaborate effectively with her
colleagues as a member of a professional learning community. She also demonstrated a healthy ability to selfassess and to seek out and use feedback to improve her understanding of course content to strengthen her own
effectiveness in the classroom. Through her goal setting, she displayed her genuine commitment to being a lifelong learner focused on continually improving student learning. Because of her level of professionalism, Jessica
was asked to represent her colleagues on the Alverno Literacy Advisory Council, a group of K-12 educators
across the Metropolitan Milwaukee Area. Jessica regularly attended the meetings and eagerly participated in
conversations centered on improving the literacy program at Alverno College. Through her enthusiasm and
thoughtful contributions to the discussions, Jessica represented herself and the college very well.
I encourage you to strongly consider Jessica Boyle as a candidate for the teaching position in your school district.
She would be a truly valuable addition to any school community!
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,

Robin Gleason
Robin Gleason
Assistant Professor of Education
Alverno College
414-382-6260
robin.gleason@alverno.edu