Analy High School 

West Sonoma County Union High School District 

 
6950 Analy Avenue, Sebastopol, California 95472-3492  (707) 824-2300 Fax (707) 824-2306 
 
Steven Kellner, Superintendent  Lindsey Apkarian, Vice Principal 
Raul Guerrero, Principal  Shauna Ferdinandson, Vice Principal

30​ March 2018

Dear Principal and Hiring Committee,

How I wish we had an English position available at Analy High School; I would encourage Aaron Berner to stay.
As one of the mentor teachers to work with Mr. Berner this year, I found his intuitive skill as a teacher
extraordinary. Aaron taught a section of English 12, a section of English 9, and helped with AP Language and
Composition.

Aaron Berner is the best student teacher with whom I’ve had the pleasure of sharing curriculum and ideas in my
twenty years of mentoring. He is both knowledgeable of his subject matter and innovative in his planning. Always
consummately prepared, Aaron Berner steps in front of the classroom not only ready to teach, but ready to listen
for cues that might help him adjust each lesson to fit the needs of his students.

His students respect his expertise and know he cares. Unlike most teaching interns, Aaron never faced behavior
management issues; just his presence commands authority and his tightly created lesson plans do the rest. The
students are always on his side because they know he is on theirs. Even as spring break approaches, his second
semester seniors are fully engaged and invested--because they want to work for Mr. Berner.

Mr. Berner’s unit and lesson design is impressive. He implements a rigorous curriculum with a creative and
accessible approach. During an informal observation of his classroom last week, I found students engaged in
heated debate about motivation and power whilst studying ​Macbeth​. On another observation, he modeled
research techniques for students by examining homelessness; he offered different statistics: national, state, and
local. Most teachers would have thought the picture was clear; Aaron took the lesson one step further, linking the
numbers to driving questions for the research synthesis. His lessons feature thoughtful uses of technology, the use
of multiple texts, high levels of questioning and student engagement.

To be sure, Aaron Berner’s standards are high; his expectations are rigorous, yet not unrealistic. Like everything
else in Aaron Berner’s repertoire, his high standards are designed to make sure that students are learning what
they need--both for further education and the world of work.

Outside the classroom, Aaron’s influence will also be felt. In previous years, Aaron served an an aide in RSP
classrooms. He was the paraprofessional that teachers knew they could rely on and students would respond to.
While he is just joining the ranks as a credentialed teacher; Aaron has been respected as a colleague for years.
Moreover, he volunteers as a basketball coach for the Analy Lady Tigers and the City of Santa Rosa parks and
recreation program; I know he would be an amazing coach at your school.

Aaron Berner is amazing; he will surpass your expectations. Do not miss this opportunity to hire the finest young
teacher there is.

Sincerely,

Patricia Maxson
English instructor, Analy High School
 Analy High School 
West Sonoma County Union High School District 
 
6950 Analy Avenue, Sebastopol, California 95472-3492  (707) 824-2300 Fax (707) 824-2306 
 
Steven Kellner, Superintendent  Lindsey Apkarian, Vice Principal 
Raul Guerrero, Principal  Shauna Ferdinandson, Vice Principal

tmaxson.ahs@wscuhsd.k12.ca.us