April 5, 2013 LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FOR Abby Tierney Abby Tierney was a student of mine at Drake University during

the 2009-2013 school years. She was enrolled in my literacy methods course and was one of my best students. I also had the pleasure of observing Abby work one-on-one with students in reading during a tutoring and assessment course over two semesters. Abby also participated in an international teaching experience, which I facilitated. Collectively, these experiences allowed me to really get to know Abby as a person and an educator. Abby is an exceptional student and teacher. She has a thorough understanding of how to plan, implement and evaluate lessons with a variety of students. She uses data to design lessons that meet the needs of her students and move them forward academically. Abby has confidence in her teaching skills and this shows in her instruction. She comes across poised and relaxed and her students feel comfortable in her presence. Abbys planning and delivery of lessons is exceptional. Abby has advanced understanding of literacy and easily demonstrated this in classroom assignments and in our international education teaching experience in Ghana, Africa. She has designed lessons on effective reading comprehension strategies, effective writing techniques, and differentiated reading instruction. Her work in my class also demonstrated her ability to plan small group reading instruction with a clear and explicit purpose. Abby consistently used the gradual release of responsibility in all her lesson designs and is prepared to deliver quality instruction in a diverse classroom. Abbys most notable characteristic is her ability to build authentic relationships with students. She developed a lasting relationship with her tutoring student due in part to her patience, positive support, and sense of humor. Abby has consistently worked in a variety of educational settings, which have clearly made her more mature than most first year teachers. She adapted to a sometimes challenging teaching and living conditions in Ghana with calmness and a clear vision of the bigger picture for our work there. Abby Tierney will be an asset to your faculty. She is dedicated, well prepared, passionate and committed to providing quality instruction to all students. I give Abby my highest recommendation without reservation. Lucky are the students, families and staff who get to work with Abby! __________________________ Dr. Jill Caton Johnson Associate Professor of Literacy Drake University