Kelly Ozust

Assistant Professor of Dance, Winthrop University

Phone: 678.773.4409
E-mail: ozustk@winthrop.edu
December 15, 2014
To Whom It May Concern,
I have had the distinct pleasure of supervising Brittany Johnson as she completes the first
semester of her teaching internship at Winthrop University. I have seen and evaluated
Ms. Johnsons teaching, classroom management, and student interaction and feel
confident evaluating her many merits.
Ms. Johnson was placed at a local middle school in Rock Hill, SC that had the unusual
characteristic of also housing the dance class for the neighboring high school. Because of
this, Brittany was expected to construct and conduct lessons for students ranging from 6th
12th grade, a much more complex teaching schedule than most students experience
during their first semester of internship. Ms. Johnson handled this with maturity and
creative planning, and was able to create lessons that she successfully adapted to reach
multiple levels of learning.
Ms. Johnsons creative lesson plans were a highlight for me as her supervisor. Brittany
was given the task of creating engaging lessons that focused on interdisciplinary study,
and her science curriculum lesson stands out as model of ingenuity. To create a lesson
that investigates dance principles as well scientific concepts is no small task, yet Ms.
Johnsons lesson included both in a way that fully engaged the students throughout. The
class investigated the principles of energy in movement through a power-point
presentation, discussion, and bodily exercises, making it a lesson that targeted multiple
modes of learning. Moreover, the schools science teacher, who noticed the dance
students grasp of the material, complimented her on her lesson.
Brittany only worked in the school one day a week, yet she was able to quickly develop a
positive rapport with the students. When Ms. Johnson asked the students questions, or
asked for volunteers to complete a task, there were many who were eager to participate.
Ms. Johnson clearly created a welcoming environment where the students felt safe to
express their opinions and contribute to the lesson. There were certainly times when
students would talk out of turn or disrupt the class, but Ms. Johnson addressed
problematic behavior quickly and respectfully. She would remind students of her
expectations and get the lesson back on track.
I have observed Brittany Johnson to be a confident, strong educator. Her lessons are
clear, as are her expectations for the class. I would be happy to recommend her for any
classroom appointment.
Kelly Ozust
Assistant Professor, Winthrop University