December

3, 2015
Letter of Reference
For
Negar Banakar

To Whom It May Concern,
During her final student teaching stage within Mcgills MATL program, I was fortunate enough to be Negars Field
Supervisor during her term at Royal West Academy.
When she began her stage, Negar needed to get used to many things; the school, her cooperating teacher, as well as her
new Field Supervisor, namely myself. It took her about two weeks to come totally to grips with her new role and
responsibilities. After that, she gradually took on more and more of Mr. James Dufaults classes, until she was essentially
teaching all of them by herself. The more she took on, the more her confidence grew; and the more she got to know the
students in her groups, the more their attachment to her grew. Negar is personable, very bright and capable, as well a
creator of dynamic and innovative lesson plans and theme units.
Under her stewardship, the classes learned a great deal. Negar realizes that the basis of quality teaching is the
understanding that we teach people first, then curriculum; (and while this realization seems common sense, the fact is
that common sense is not so common.) She made sure that the students knew they could rely on her and trust her; and
before too long they did. I had the pleasure of evaluating several of Negars classes, and they were all different, but all
very well done.
This young woman is a true teacher. She is aware of her responsibilities at all times, and behaves in a completely
professional manner. She understands the Quebec Educational Program and its competency demands, and knows how
to structure her lessons based on them and the Progression of Learning. Furthermore, there are things she does that go
above and beyond the simple elements of the QEP; she challenges her students to become critical thinkers and lifelong
learners. She uses humour to deal with situations that could otherwise become stressful and/or confrontational, and she
knows how to maintain classroom management by having good routines that all students are aware of. As Harry Wong
says, Good teachers manage their classrooms, weak teachers discipline their classrooms. Negar manages her
classes. Very well.
In her Summative evaluation I stated that she was ready to be a regular teacher, and that with experience I believe that
she will become a Master Teacher. In discussion with her Cooperating teacher, who after all, saw her more than I did,
she was also deemed ready to be a colleague, and a highly competent one at that.
Feel free to contact the undersigned if you require any further information.
Yours truly,

Felix Gelbart, B.A., Teaching Certificate, Sp. Ed. Certificate, M.Ed., Certificate of Ed. Admin 1 & 2.
fgelbart@gmail.com
felix.gelbart@mcgill.ca
Home Phone: 514-752-0551