To:

Susan Iverson, PhD

HIED 6/76594 Internship in College Teaching
Kent State University

Re:

Brandi Hoffman

Date:

December 16, 2015

This is to summarize Brandis work with my Womens Health Issues class this semester (Fall, 2015).
Brandi started the class observing my teaching and class interactions. I asked her to be in charge of class
attendance record keeping. Brandi also played a significant role in teaching the class in my absence. She
taught several lessons including those on body image, contraceptives, an introduction to HIV/AIDS and
international issues for women. I was at a national conference when she did the lessons on AIDS and
international issues, but was able to observe an earlier lesson (evaluation given to her previously) as well as
the lesson on contraceptives. Denise Harrison also observed her lesson on contraceptives.
I feel Brandi did a fine job in her teaching. She always started and ended class on time. She did well with
the pace of the lessons and transitioning from one topic to another. The only weakness she had was in
subject knowledge, but this is not her field so that is very understandable and the content issues were
minimal. Brandi was well prepared for the classes that she taught. She prepared powerpoint slides and had
many web links to keep students attentive. We had problems with our AV system so she always came early
to get video clips up and running in the background so as not to delay the class. She presented herself in a
professional manner. Students sometimes confided in Brandi when they didnt feel they could approach me
(e.g. they asked her she would ask me if I could do a review for the final exam). She came to nearly every
class.
I involved Brandi in an in-class conflict I had with a student as a secondary witness to phone use behavior
that is not permitted in class. She handled this well and in a fair way for the student while stating the truth
of the matter. I actually believe she probably would have implemented some of my class management
policies more effectively than I did throughout the semester. I tend to be too lenient and a few students took
advantage of that. Suffice it to say that it was a learning experience for us both.
Some of our discussions about the quality of student papers and writing led me to believe that Brandi was a
bit shocked at the poor writing skills (and lack of proofreading) by our students. I permitted her to correct a
set of reaction papers to a presentation I did on HIV/AIDS to maintain objectivity. She did a fine job on this
and wrote in helpful comments to the students. I believe this was a great activity for her to learn the caliber
of our students and their need for more writing help.
Overall, Brandi was a tremendous intern and help to me this semester. She kept attendance, taught whatever
was needed, and assisted with all aspects of the course. She even helped to correct exams and used the
course online grade book to enter attendance and participation grades. I am impressed by her
professionalism and the time she put into this class. Thank you for sending her to me!
Sincerely,
Dianne L. Kerr, PhD, MCHES
Professor, Health Education
and Promotion
School of Health Sciences
Kent State University