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Mr. R. Wendorff
Black Hawk Middle School
1540 Deerwood Drive
Eagan, MN 55122

Mr. Wendorff and hiring team:

We are writing on behalf of Carl Plucker who is applying for the Administrative Assistant position for
the 2014-2015 school year. We hope to share our observations and insights about Carls
professional and personal strengths in consideration for the open administrative assistant position.
Alana Pixler: I have had the pleasure of working with Carl in many capacities over the past
decade. Carl and I worked together on a seventh grade team, served on building committees
together as well as shared parenting ideas over these years. Carl is open to new ideas in order to
start and stretch relationships with at risk student populations. He implemented a new and positive
approach, The Chart House, to working with at students who exhibited difficulties in the classroom.
These students sought a quiet place to decompress and process their actions with a caring
adult. The Chart House was a successful endeavor yet unable to continue due to personnel and
budget constraints. Carls positive outlook, his ability to listen well and effectively problem-solve
make him a strong candidate for the administrative assistant position.
Gina LaDoux: I have had the opportunity of working directly with Carl during the 2013 BHMS
Summer School Academy. I appreciated Carls desire as administrator to create a fun learning
environment for all students at Summer School Academy. He encouraged the teaching staff to try
new instructional strategies to meet the needs of this population. He really wanted these striving
learners to be excited about coming to summer school each day. Carl had a positive approach to
discipline and supported me as a teacher while also working well with students that struggled to
make good decisions.
Lori Mallory: I have had the opportunity to work collaboratively with Carl regarding the needs of my
special education students. Carl modifies and adapts my students tests as well classroom
assignments to meet the students various needs. Carls enthusiasm and passion for history
engages my students in their own learning and gets them excited to learn more.
David Herem: While working with Carl for the last nine years, I have witnessed a teacher dedicated
to growing as a teacher. Carl works diligently day after day at improving his lesson plans and finding
additional resources to add to his teaching repertoire. First and foremost Carl is very
professional. He comes to work on time, does his job to the utmost of his ability and holds himself to
a high standard. In addition to teaching the same subject as Carl, I can acknowledge that while Carl
is serving on a committee or leading the committee, Carl is organized, thoughtful and prepared.
Tiffany LaBahn: Carl has a number of qualities that a good administrator should have. First and
foremost, he cares about students and their academic, social and emotional development. Carl has
worked diligently to meet students individual needs. While remaining focused on essential
learnings, learning targets, and accountability in his class, he meets students where they are at
academically and provides support through appropriate accommodations and modifications whether
they are on an IEP or not. My Strategic Reading students have benefitted from his willingness to try
different approaches to help them be successful in his class. Beyond the classroom, I have
witnessed many occasions where Carl has worked to build positive relationships with students.

Second, over the years of working together as members of a team or committees, Carl has
consistently displayed a positive attitude and a willingness to listen. He wants to understand
different perspectives. Even if people at the table disagree in the end, his contributions to the
conversations are professional and respectful.
Finally, Carls involvement in district-level committees and co-curricular activities both in the district
and in the community demonstrate a desire to be a part of the bigger picture beyond BHMS. Any
time an administrator actively participates in conversations and work outside of the building, the
knowledge and new perspectives gained can benefit the school itself.
Thank you for considering Carl Plucker for the BHMS Administrative Assistant position. Feel free to
contact any of us with any further questions.
Alana Pixler, Gina LaDoux, Lori Mallory, David Herem and Tiffany LaBahn