FACULTY OF EDUCATION

Vancouver Island University

900 Fifth Street, Nanaimo,
British Columbia, Canada V9R 5S5
Tel (250) 740-6221 Fax (250) 740-6463
http://www.viu.ca/education/
March 30, 2016
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing this letter on behalf of Sarah Turner. I have had the pleasure of working with
Sarah in three courses throughout this past academic year and in each case, she was an
integral member of her cohort, which truly functioned as a classroom community.
Sarah came into our program already an accomplished teacher but needing to recertify to
meet the requirements of the British Columbia Teacher Regulation Branch. Sarah is a
professional educator and has supported her colleagues during their path through teacher
education. As British Columbia has worked to implement a revised curriculum with more
emphasis on student directed learning, Sarah has shared her experiences of teaching in the
United Kingdom using the philosophies which we are working to implement in BC. Sarahs
willingness to share her experience and knowledge has been an asset and I feel truly blessed
to have been able to take the theoretical pieces that I had been working through and give it a
practical voice through Sarahs lived experiences. Sarah has taken many opportunities to
share her knowledge with the group and has modelled effective teaching practice for her
cohort and myself on various occasions.
Sarah was also asked to present her work at a Professional Development Day for teachers at
the Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District Professional Development Day in February. She
presented to a large group of teachers and her ideas were well received, with teachers and
administrators eager to take her materials and implement them for further staff
development in various school sites around the district.
Sarah has been assigned to a challenging classroom for her practicum this year and she has
accepted the challenges of the students with an open heart and mind. She understands the
importance of building relationships with the students but of also giving them tasks, which
meet their specific learning needs. Again, Sarah has designed an innovative system to
present varying levels of work to the students, which encourages them to challenge
themselves within their appropriate level and the students have responded positively, feeling
empowered by the choices she has given them.
Sarah has come to Nanaimo and fully integrated herself into the learning and teaching
community. Should you have any further questions regarding Sarah, please do not hesitate
to contact me at (250) 753-3245 local 2559 or riki.cox@viu.ca.
Sincerely yours,
Riki Cox
Faculty of Education
900 Fifth Street, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5S5

Telephone 740-6223

Fax 740-6463