Elizabeth A.

Davis Professor, Science Education

Educational Studies

May 26, 2016

To whom it may concern:
This is a reference letter in strong support of Rosemarie (Rosie) Mousigian for a teaching
position in your district. Rosie was a student in my Managing to Teach class in Winter 2012, and
in my Elementary Science Methods course, during the Fall 2012 semester, both here at the
University of Michigan School of Education. Furthermore, she was one of the student teachers
in my daughter's fifth grade, and she taught my daughter some of her science lessons. Since
her graduation, she has been teaching science, math, and engineering at Marshall Middle
School (as well as coaching tennis and cross-country!). We've been in contact occasionally
during that time, so I have kept tabs on her teaching a bit since she's moved into her own
classroom. Throughout these and other experiences, I have been impressed with Rosie's
propensity to engage in teaching practice, think through important issues in teaching, and
deport herself professionally.
For the science methods course, Rosie taught two science lessons, and I observed both of
these via her video recordings. One lesson was on energy transfer and the other was a
"mystery powders" (matter) lesson. Rosie worked very hard on materials management,
especially in the context of the matter lesson. This is an especially challenging lesson to teach,
because it not only pushes students intellectually to identify their unknown substances, but it
also entails an enormous amount of complicated materials management. I was pleased that
Rosie got to teach this lesson because I knew it would lend itself to important lessons for her as
a novice teacher. Indeed, Rosie shared with me that she learned, from this lesson, the
importance of having a clear, explicit plan for having students obtain, return, and clean up their
materials. This is important, Rosie points out, because more efficiency in the materials
management arena yields more time for students to engage in learning.
Rosie also participated well as a student in both of the classes in which I taught her. She was
engaged and interested in the class discussions, gave good feedback to her peers, and
supported her groupmates by challenging their thinking in respectful ways. In looking back at my
gradebook, I see that she had a very solid A in the class, which is not surprising to me; I
remember her as one of my strongest students.
I recently asked Rosie what she is working on in her teaching, and she noted that she is working
to develop her science content knowledge and other aspects of her professional knowledge, in
part through professional organizations like MACUL and the Michigan Science Teachers
Association. I was so pleased to hear this, because I think such organizations have an important
role in bolstering the profession. She recently earned a certificate of recognition from Michigan
State University in educational technology, because she wanted to learn more about the uses of
technology in the classroom, and she is continuing to work toward her masters degree in that
program. I'm excited for her, as well, because I think there are some amazing technological
610 East University Avenue, Room 4107
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

betsyd@umich.edu

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resources for middle school science, and I'm pleased that she is gaining expertise that will help
her to access these and learn to select and use them effectively.
In sum, Rosie Mousigian will be a great addition to your school. Her enthusiasm for teaching,
understanding of the issues surrounding this difficult job, and positive attitude help her be an
effective teacher. At the same time, she recognizes the ways in which she wants to continue to
grow, and she is working toward those goals. I wholeheartedly recommend her to you. Please
do not hesitate to contact me for more informationbetsyd@umich.edu or (734) 717-8292.
Best regards,

Elizabeth A. Davis
Professor, Science Education

610 East University Avenue, Room 4107

Ann Arbor, MI 48109

betsyd@umich.edu