Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy/K12

50 Filer Street, Suite F

Manistee, MI 49660
231.794.5999




To Whom It May Concern:

Over the last year, I have had the privilege of working with Rachel Kwiatkowski, as her colleague and
English Department Chairperson, at Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy. Although many of her
students are new to the world of online education, Rachel has fostered their love of the English through
her encouraging and caring style of instruction. She has challenged the students through creative,
innovative, and dynamic differentiated assignments, all while providing the opportunity for students to
acclimate to an online learning environment. Rachel is the type of educator that any staff member
would be privileged to work besides; she is a steadfast member of the profession that touches the life of
each student and encourages positive growth in her colleagues. Any school district would be improved
by Rachels presence as an educator.

As a teacher myself, I know how exhausting just the traditional day-to-day educational profession can
be. I am amazed however, at the seemingly relentless energy, passion, and commitment Rachel has
towards her lessons and students. Rachel finds time to hold extra help sessions for students, when she
knows she is covering difficult material or challenging material. She also offers the opportunity to each
and every student to submit revisions of drafts, and works with a layered curriculum. Offering for
students to turn in work prior to the due date, for help and guidance, also shows her devotion to the
profession and desire that the emphasis be placed upon their comprehension and quality of learning.
She connects on a personal level with students through her building of rapport, creating class themes,
helping the students to become advocates for their education, and in extra activities such as school-
wide field trips and meet and greets. Rachel is an influential teacher that the students remember
beyond their high school yearsshe leaves an imprint on their minds and hearts.

Her energy isnt limited to time expended; its also portrayed through her creative classes. Rather than
requiring traditional-style lecture, Rachel designs very elaborate and detailed online classroom
experiences that get the kids to really experience the topics at hand. Rachel also incorporates
technology into her lessons plans, creating PowerPoints, Skype projects, video projects, web-page
developmentand creates lessons based on higher-level thinking skills and aligns current educational
theory into her practice. Rachel is also well versed in the use of online learning with Blackboard
Collaborate and online learning. She has vast experience using Microsoft Office and Microsoft Excel,
along with Google documents for collection and review of daily, weekly, and monthly classroom data.

Always up for the debate in educational profession is the controversy of how does determine a truly
great teacher? Is it enough that they, like Rachel, demonstrate mastery in their subject matter, and
show incredible devotion to their students, maintain exceptional rapport along with great classroom
management skills, and have the mutual respect of administration, parents, and students? Rachel
doesnt just set the expectation high, she provides the ladder to reach them, building every rung up with
her devotion of time, words of encouragement, and teaching of the skills necessary to enable each
students ascent.

I am writing this letter for multiple reasons. As a fellow educator, I want Rachel to know that shes an
exceptional example of an instructor, and makes the profession proud. I also hope that it serve as a form
of fuel because teachers can only drive themselves so long on their own love of the profession
sometimes they just need a little bit back in the form of reassurancethat what theyre doing really
matters and is making a difference in the world. Rachel, as you may read this, know what you are doing
matters, and you have made a huge difference in the life of what matters most to each studentthe
quality of education that is received and that knowledge is power. Finally, Id like this recommendation
to serve as my thank you. Thank you for inspiring me, for giving me positive encouragement, and for
being an exceptional colleague.

It has been my privilege to work beside RachelRachel is the type of educator that administers should
be pleading forshe will inspire any student and will bring life and energy to any staff.

Respectfully,

Rebecca M. Moxie
MGLVA/K12
English Department Head
Data/Content Lead
9th-12 Grade English
517-974-2700