February 6, 2014

To Whom It May Concern,

My name is Sarah Ammons, and I am a student at Ivy Tech Community College in Valparaiso, IN. I have obtained my Technical Certificate in Human Services, and anticipate graduating with Honors, earning my Associates of Applied Science in Human Services in May of 2014. Although most of my academic success was the result of personal perseverance and dedication, I also credit my academic success to the support and encouragement I have received from Don Spears, Chair of Human Services at Ivy Tech, and am honored to provide him with a letter of support. Throughout my educational journey, Professor Spears was very knowledgeable about the courses that were required to complete my degree, as well as diligent in ensuring that those courses were taken in the correct order. As an academic advisor, he was always available with an open door to answer any course content, internship, or general field questions I had. Professor Spears was very knowledgeable of internship placements, having strong connections with many Human Services Agencies throughout both Lake and Porter Counties. He carefully placed me in two internships that matched my interests, and provided exceptional support to both myself, and my host agencies, inquiring if I had any questions, or needed help in any aspect of the internship process. He carefully monitored, and was an active participant in, internship discussion boards, encouraging and advising me on a weekly basis. Professor Spears compiled and provided a stellar study guide for the Human Services Board Certified Practitioner Test, as evidenced by his high percentage of students who pass this credential test. He has shared his study guide with colleges throughout the state who have inquired his secret to his students success. As a student, I have been honored to have had Professor Spears as an instructor. His expertise in Human Services, as well as professional knowledge he has shared during his lectures, has proven to be invaluable. As an instructor, Professor Spears utilized conversational style lectures, consistently encouraging me to think deeper into concepts that were being taught. I rarely listened to music on my commute home after his class, as I found myself continuing to reflect on the material presented. He instructed me in Love, Romance, and Relationships, Helping Relationship Techniques, Internship I and II, and Understanding Diversity. He ethically shared examples and experiences he has encountered in Human Services. He invited a guest speaker in Understanding Diversity, who spoke about her personal experiences with racism, making me aware of the importance of recognizing the effects of racism and discrimination in my clients. He provided an opportunity to attend the Rocky Horror Picture Show, which taught me to understand and appreciate the diversity of others. He was inspired by watching a

television show on Jackie Hooper, the author of The Things You Would Have Said, and contacted her, inviting her to the college to share her story with his students. He has always gone above and beyond in providing quality material relevant to the course he was instructing, regardless of location. Campus was closed due to a mechanical issue during a summer session. He could have easily taken the day off, enjoying it with his family. Recognizing and respecting that many of his students had traveled a great distance to campus, he gave his students the choice of staying, and conducted his lecture under a shaded tree. In conclusion, I highly recommend the promotion from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor for Don Spears. Professor Spears expertise and knowledge of Human Services has proven to be an asset to the Human Services Program at Ivy Tech, as evidenced by his program completion rate, as well as the increase of students who have enrolled in his program. This semester I had a classmate from high school who contacted me with questions regarding the Human Services program at Ivy Tech. I confidently forwarded her Professor Spears contact information, knowing that she would be receiving an exceptional educational experience, as well as continued support in her newly chosen profession. Please feel free to contact me at sarahmichelle0817@hotmail.com with any questions you may have as you consider promoting Don Spears from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor at Ivy Tech Community College.

Sincerely,

Sarah M. Ammons 17309 Mount Street Lowell, IN. 46356 (219) 742-1757