Letter of Reference for Roger Horton

To Future Employers:
I have had the pleasure of working with Roger Horton for the last 4 years here at Yangon International
School. In our small school, Roger and I form half the high/middle school science department. I teach
Chem, AP Chem, Physics, & AP Physics and Roger teaches Biology, AP Biology and Gr. 8 Science. We
work closely together, sharing resources, equipment, and ideas.
When Roger came to YIS, he implemented the AP Biology program. He has consistently great results in
AP Biology and in the other courses he teaches. The students respect him, work hard for him, and enjoy
the classes he teaches.
I value Rogers ideas for improving our science department and for improving our school. He is always
planning to make YIS a better place for our students. An excellent example is in the renovation of our
science labs. Three years ago our class sizes expanded to approximately 22 students per room. We did
not have adequate lab/classroom facilities to teach classes of that size. Roger developed a plan for new
science labs with very functional lab tables and storage shelves using plastic bins for equipment. Rather
than ordering the tables and shelves from overseas, we had them built in-house by our maintenance
department. With his practical fix-it skills, Roger
worked closely with the builders on every step of the way, and we now have 3 excellent science labs with
plenty of storage space.
In his time at YIS, Roger has increased the resources of our science department. We now have sufficient
digital Vernier probeware to supply our current needs throughout our secondary program as well as
adequate traditional science equipment and material to resource our entire K 12 science program. The
faculty and students appreciate our equipment and facilities.
Rogers positive influence goes well beyond our science department. He and I serve on the Teacher
Advisory Committee whose role is to gather ideas for improving the school from our fellow teachers and
present these ideas to the school administration. Our YIS teachers value the leadership role Roger plays
in liaising with the school director and principals. He constantly engages in dialogue with our colleagues
on school improvement.
Another contribution Roger makes to the school is organizing the grade 9 trip for our Week Without Walls
in February. The students enjoy the challenging, experiential program in Northern Thailand he and his
team have developed over the last 3 years.
Roger coaches soccer and badminton. He and his wife, Jolyn are strong supporters of all our school
programs and always help out and support musical productions, international days, activity nights and all
those other school activities which are such a vital part of the life of a community in an international
school. Roger will be an excellent addition to your staff. He is a seasoned veteran teacher. He is proactive
rather than reactive. He and Jolyn are flexible people. They know how to not only survive, but flourish
where living conditions are not ideal. They both possess valuable leadership and organizations skills
which every school needs and values. I have truly enjoyed working closely with Roger for these last 4
years. Your schools gain will certainly be our schools loss. I wish Roger and Jolyn success in your
school. They are wonderful people.
Sincerely,
Craig Taylor, High School Science Teacher
ctaylor@yismyanmar.com