SCHOOL OF EDUCATION

610 E. UNIVERSITY AVE.

ANN ARBOR, MI 48109
Barbara J. Cornish – Field Instructor/Lecturer
bcornish@umich.edu
734-358-3326

June 5, 2018

To Whom It May Concern:

I am pleased to write this letter of recommendation on behalf of Kathleen Thompson. I have been
Kathleen’s field instructor in our Master of Arts with Teacher Certification Program since September of
2017. I have conducted 8 formal observations of Kathleen’s teaching to date. After each observation,
Kathleen, her mentor teacher, and I have debriefed the lesson and set goals for growth. Additionally,
Kathleen was a student in my Graduate Reflective Field Experience Class during fall semester and is
currently enrolled in the weekly seminar that accompanies student teaching at the University of Michigan.

During our formal observations, I have noticed that Kathleen begins interacting with her students the
moment they enter her classroom. It is obvious that this is part of her daily routine as students are
comfortable with the process. Kathleen has a calming, reassuring persona that encourages students to be
risk-takers with the Spanish language. She maintains a culturally responsive classroom environment where
differences are explored and celebrated not only between students, but across the Spanish curriculum.
There is an immediate sense of mutual respect where students’ contributions are heard and valued.

I am consistently impressed with Kathleen’s thorough lesson planning abilities. Each part of her lesson is
meticulously planned and demonstrates careful reflection of its educational value. Scaffolding her lessons
appropriately is a priority for Kathleen. Each activity leads seamlessly into the next where students are
asked to use the information in increasingly complex scenarios. Her lessons are student centered,
encouraging productive partner and small group work after a presentation of the new material.

Kathleen demonstrates an excellent command of the Spanish language. It is rare that she resorts to using
English in the classroom, even in a Spanish I class. Students are able to follow along thanks to Kathleen’s
use of cognates, graphics, and gestures to aid in student comprehension. Students have the opportunity to
see and hear instructions, as well as complete a model together before working on their own. Kathleen
frequently checks with students for understanding and circulates to address any questions that students may
have.

Yet another quality I deeply value with Kathleen is her ability to solicit feedback and incorporate
suggestions into future lesson plans. It is a pleasure to debrief with her, as she is self-reflective, open
to brainstorming creative solutions to challenging situations, and willing to try new ideas! These
qualities assure me that she will continue to grow as a teacher throughout her career.

It is without reservation that I highly recommend Kathleen Thompson for a teaching position at your
school. Her strong work ethic, her careful attention to lesson planning, and her ability to bring the
Spanish language and culture alive in the classroom make her an excellent candidate. If I can be of
any further assistance in your decision making process, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Barbara J. Cornish