October

24, 2016

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to give you my strongest recommendation to hire Tara Soule for a
position in your elementary or early childhood classroom. I have been her academic
advisor at Drake University and I observed Tara at a Head Start preschool classroom
during her early childhood student teaching placement, where I conducted her
midterm and final student teaching evaluations in that setting.

I have known Tara for the entire time she has been at Drake School of Education.
She came to us as a transfer student and quickly settled in to life at Drake. She
immediately put her shoulder to the grindstone and got to work. During her time at
Drake, Tara has been pleasant, dedicated, enthusiastic, and imaginative.

When I observed Tara in her Head Start preschool student teaching placement, I
saw that she has become a completely competent teacher. Tara was in a challenging
situation where only two of the children spoke English, and one who did not speak
English was living with Spina Bifida. She took it all in stride and worked diligently to
meet the social, emotional, physical, and learning needs of all of the students. Tara
also cooperated effectively with her mentor teacher and with the full time classroom
assistant. She arranged an assessment for a student who she and the mentor teacher
suspected might have a disability. Tara took a leadership role in working with the
parent and special education consultant to garner appropriate assessments and
services for this young student.

Among her many strengths, I would highlight Taras interest and ability in planning
lessons as well as her ability to stay calm and to take things in stride. I think that
Tara would self identify her interest in lesson planning as a strength, but she may
not realize how calm she is, at least on the exterior. She is completely engaged and
never misses anything, but she is flexible and responsive to whatever situation
presents itself. I was really impressed by this when I observed her, as I do not
always see that in such a young professional.

Please do not miss the opportunity to make Tara part of your team. If you have any
questions, you are welcome to contact me.

Catherine Wilson Gillespie, Ph.D.

Associate Dean and Mary Collier Baker Professor

Drake University School of Education
3206 University Avenue, Rm. 106C
Des Moines, IA 50311
515-271-4602