Field Instructor Letter of Recommendation

April, 2014

To Whom It May Concern,

It is my pleasure to write this letter of recommendation for Emily Hoag.  She successfully taught in a third grade classroom at C A Frost Environmental Science Academy in the Grand Rapids Public School District for the 2013-2014 school years.

I was Emily’s Michigan State University Field Instructor and observed her teaching.  Emily’s successful performance is a direct result of her organizational skills and diligence.  She researched and planned her hands-on instruction so the students were challenged.  I saw an example of this when I observed her kinesthetic science lesson.  Emily had the students create a variety of ramps to run miniature cars.  She was thorough with her instructions, checked for understanding and patiently answered questions.   Emily let them explore, make predictions, and asked questions to guide their investigation.  All students were eagerly engaged as Emily challenged them to reach their goals.

Emily’s manner in the classroom was friendly and caring, but firm and consistent.  The strong relationships she built with her students were important.  The students knew she loved and respected them.  She could pick out the positives in each of her students and encourage them to do their very best.  Emily’s praise was evident in her voice and expression.  I observed Emily holding students accountable in the classroom and hallway.  She gave a warning first, and followed through with appropriate consequences.  This resulted in high on-task behaviors.  

It is with great enthusiasm and without reservations that I highly recommend Emily as an addition to your school.  Her genuine concern for her students and their abilities will truly be an asset.  I am honored to be a part of Emily’s teaching experience.  If you have further questions about Emily, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Debra Niewiada

dniewiada@yahoo.com

niewia11@msu.edu

Field Instructor

Michigan State University

(616) 677-1701

(616) 826- 7251        

Outdoor Classroom Experiences with CA Frost Third Graders

Teaching Philosophy

Emily Hoag

Hoagemil@msu.edu

616.322.6000

Respect.

         As an educator, one must love working with children. A vital part of my teaching philosophy is respect for my students. I vow to be respectful of my students’ backgrounds, their lives, their abilities, their learning styles, and above all, the fact that they are children. Out of this respect comes the ability to recognize that each of my students will have different learning styles and as their teacher, I need to meet their needs, whatever they may be. It is my goal to be able to reach children in different ways in order to create a lifelong passion for learning.

Connections.

            I value the importance of creating and maintaining connections to each and every one of my students in order to better inform my instruction as well as creating a safe and productive learning environment in which all students feel valued. If my students feel valued, they will work hard to meet my high, yet reasonable expectations. I will do my best to provide my students with the tools they need to be successful and meet those expectations, including spending extra time with students who need extra attention and providing challenges to those who need to be pushed. I believe that all students have different needs and I will do my best to meet them.

Communication.           

            Another important key in creating lifelong learners is working with parents. I view the formation of a strong education as having three key components: the teacher, the student, and the families of that student. Without any of those parts, a successful education cannot be achieved. I respect that parents have an idea of what they want their student’s education to look like and I will do my best to work with parents in generating the best plan for their child to learn. Communication is key in attaining this goal. I will keep the lines of communication open with each and every parent in order to provide the best opportunities for a student to learn.

Compassion.

            One of the most important components of my teaching philosophy is the compassion and care I show to my students. As an educator, I play a key role in shaping the lives of these students. By showing care and compassion for each and every one of my students, I show my students that I care about more than just the grade they get on a test. I want my students to know that when they enter my classroom, they are in a safe place where they are cared about and respected as more than just a student. This care and compassion will also help me to better get to know my students and be more effective in my instruction. Students will also be more susceptible to wanting to learn if they feel as if they are cared about.

Cover Letter

Emily Hoag

hoagmil@msu.edu

616.322.6000

To Whom It May Concern,

I am pleased to be presenting my resume to you for your consideration as an Elementary School Teacher with your school. I am a graduate of Michigan State University’s College of Education and am certified to teach Kindergarten through fifth grade in all content areas and sixth through eighth grade in Social Studies with a History emphasis. With goals including providing students with the necessities to receive an outstanding education as well as building a passion for learning that will be lifelong, I am certain that I will be a valuable asset to your district as well as a great addition to your school.

As a graduate of Michigan State University’s prestigious five-year teaching preparation program, I have gained wide-ranging experiences in areas including working with students of diverse backgrounds, lesson planning, creating authentic and stimulating lessons, as well as building the foundation for students to become life-long learners. Throughout my experiences at Michigan State, I was able to work with a variety of diverse learners and gain experience that has helped me to be capable of understanding how to be actively involved in my students lives and best teach students in ways in which their needs are met, both academically and personally. During my yearlong internship, I was actively involved in my student’s lives and educational experience, planning standard-based lessons in all content areas to innovatively meet their needs. I also participated in other aspects of educational responsibilities including professional development, classroom management and parent communication.

In addition to my student teaching internship in a third grade classroom, I have experience working with students in second and fifth grades, all in urban settings. I was a member of the Urban Educators Cohort Program at Michigan State University and am confident in my ability to work with diverse students in urban areas. I believe that my education as well as my experiences makes me a valuable member of your educational team. I look forward to speaking with you to discuss this employment opportunity.

My greatest strengths as an educator include my passion for working with and motivating students to learn, as well as my respect for my students as individuals. All students learn in different ways, and my educational goals are to meet their needs in whatever way possible. I want to see my students be successful both in my classroom and in their daily lives and I make myself available to them in whatever ways they need, strengthening our connection and bettering my instruction. I actively engage my students in creative and enjoyable lessons that meet their needs.

Thank you for your time and consideration. Feel free to contact me by phone 616.322.6000 or by email hoagemil@msu.edu.

Sincerely,

Emily Hoag

Resume

Emily Hoag

hoagemil@msu.edu

616.322.6000

                                                                                               

Objective:             To obtain a teaching position (K-8) working with children and building a safe and exciting learning environment that supports and promotes student learning and collaboration.

Certification:            K-5, All content areas, Elementary Education

                                    6-8 Social Studies, History Emphasis

                                    CPR and First Aid Certification, January 2014

Education:                Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan

Bachelor of Arts, May, 2013

Major: Elementary Education

Teaching Major: Social Studies, History Emphasis

Specialization in American Indian Studies

Member of the Urban Educators Cohort Program

September 2013-Present

Michigan State University College of Education

Fifth Year Teacher Certification Program

12 Graduate Credits in Teaching and Curriculum

Internship and

Field Experience:

C.A. Frost Environmental Science Academy, Grand Rapids Public Schools

2013-2014 School Year

Graduate Intern, 3^rd Grade

·      Collaborated one-on-one with students as well as with small groups

·      Implemented a classroom management plan

·      Integrated curriculum, environmental care, and citizenship

·      Prepared and taught lessons in all 3^rd grade subjects

·      Differentiated instruction based on student needs

·      Collaborated with other educators

Cavanaugh Elementary School, Lansing, Michigan

September, 2012-May, 2013, Grade Level: 3^rd

·      Watched classroom activities and learned about classroom management

·      Taught lessons in Social Studies and Science

·      Worked with small groups of students in the areas of literacy and writing

Willow Elementary School, Lansing, Michigan

January, 2011-April, 2011, Grade Level: 5^th

·      Observed daily classroom activities and classroom management

·      Involved in putting together a school wide family night involving math activities

Red Cedar Elementary School, East Lansing, Michigan

September, 2009-December, 2009, Grade Level: 2^nd

·      Observed classroom activities and management techniques

·      Worked with students for a few hours a week on various subjects

Teaching-related

Experience:

PESG Substitute Teacher

                                    Grand Rapids, Michigan

                                    October 2013-Present

·      Worked as a guest teacher in the Grand Rapids Public Schools

Summer School Aide

Porcupine School, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation

Summers 2006-Present

·      Help teachers with the summer school program in the school

·      Work with American Indian students

Program Organizer

Safe Schools Program, Michigan State University

·      Helped to put together and organize an event for the Safe Schools Program

·      Worked with a professor to put on the whole program

Nanny/Babysitter

Belmont, Michigan

May 2009-August 2009, May 2010-August 2010, May 2011-August 2011

·      Responsible for two now 8 year old twin girls

·      Planned and supervised activities

·      Did many crafts and educational activities

Other Work

Experience:            Scott Lake Country Club, Comstock Park, MI, Bartender, May 2006-Present

Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, Research Assistant in College of Education, September 2010-Present

Professional

Development:          Fire-Up Conference, March 2014

TRIG Training, Fall and Spring 2013-2014

Law Conference, Grand Rapids, MI, Fall 2013

                                    School Wide Vision, Grand Rapids, MI, Fall 2013

American Educational Research Conference, Undergraduate Research Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, April 2011

·      Applied and was accepted to an elite undergraduate research conference in Education

Technology:             Proficient in:

·      PowerPoint

·      Microsoft Word

·      Excel

·      N’Vivo

·      iMovie

·      Interactive White Board

Honors and

Achievements:            Awarded the Paul and Mavis Pitzer Endowed Scholarship for Urban Teaching, May 2013

Dean’s List, Michigan State University, Every Semester Fall 2009-Spring 2014

Honors College, Michigan State University

                                    Spring 2010 to present

Awarded Future Teacher Scholarship from the Rockford Education Foundation (2009)

References:

Deb Niewiada

Field Instructor, Michigan State University

10735 Lovers Lane, NW

Grand Rapids, MI 49534

Home: (616) 677-1701

Cell: (616) 826-7251

E-mail: dniewiada@yahoo.com

Ruth Condillac

Mentor Teacher, CA Frost Environmental Science Academy

1460 Laughlin N.W.

Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Phone: (616) 819-2184

Email: condillacr@grps.org

Greg Ramey

Principal, CA Frost Environmental Science Academy

1460 Laughlin N.W.

Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Phone: (616) 819-2184

Email: rameyp@grps.org