FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
October 10, 2013

RE: Recommendation
Irene M. Wilson

TRANSFORMATIVE

E
EXPERIENTIAL

A
ASSESSMENT
DRIVEN

c
COLLABORATIVE

H
HOLISTIC

To Whom It May Concern:

Irene Wilson was a student in a number of elementary education classes that I teach at Ferris
State University. Her attendance, participation, and collaboration in each of these classes was
outstanding. Her work was submitted on time and reflected evidence of careful preparation.
Irene is currently working on completing her master's thesis. While completing her final two
classes, she has been substitute teaching and gathering research. The topic of her research is
''The Relationship Between Teacher Qualifications and the Academic Achievement of African
American males." This qualitative research is expected to be completed by January 2014 and
will consist of interviews and surveys with faculty, staff, administrators, and African-American
male students.
During the summer of 2011, Irene taught and attended classes for three weeks at a university in
South Korea. She returned from Korea with renewed enthusiasm about teaching and with a
new appreciation for the time, creativity, and knowledge that it takes to be a successful teacher.
Irene's background in broadcasting, her high energy level, and her knowledge of how to teach
reading to second language learners will all benefit her future students. Her current goal is to
teach abroad or to teach in an inner city setting.
In the past few years, besides working on her graduate studies and thesis, Irene has attended a
number of professional conferences; the Michigan Association of Reading Professors
Conference at Eastern Michigan University which focused on inclusion, a Multicultural
Conference at Oakland University, and the Michigan Reading Association Conference at the
DeVoss Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan are among them. As a mature student, Irene is not
intimidated by new situations, by traveling, or by working within a culturally diverse setting.
Beyond Irene's professional qualifications, I would be remiss not to mention her personal assets.
Irene is a compassionate, cheerful, hard working individual. As a member of the Association of
Future Educators, she often volunteered her time to share her talents with those less fortunate.
She worked well with her peers to advance the educational opportunities for underserved, low
economic or special needs students, and was well respected.

1349 Cramer Circle, Bishop 626

Big Rapids, MI 49307-2737
Phone: (231) 591-5375
Fax: (231) 591-2041
Web: www.ferris.edu

I have every reason to believe that Irene Wilson will be an employment asset to any program or
school district. If you have any further questions, I may be reached at 231-5368 or by e-mail at
Nlashawaybokina4@gmail.com or at lashawan@ferris.edu.
Sincerely,

~0
Nancy Lashaway-Bokina, Ph.D.
Emeriti Professor
Education and Human Services
Ferris State University