WERKLUND

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION

Undergraduate Programs in Education
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 1N4
werklund.ucalgary.ca

January 9, 2018.





To whom this may concern,

This letter is in support of Ms. Sandy Pryor, who will complete the requirements of her Bachelor of
Education degree from the Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary in April 2018. At
the time of writing this letter, Sandy successfully completed a six-week practicum from October-
December, 2017 and will complete a final eight-week practicum from February-April, 2018. I was
Ms. Pryor’s Field Supervisor and Instructor in 2017 and will act in this capacity for the 2018 final
round of her teaching practicum.

Sandy completed her six-week Field Experience in a grade one classroom at New Brighton School in
southeast Calgary. She enthusiastically participated in all teaching responsibilities and engaged in
team teaching opportunities where 44 students were in her care. Ms. Pryor consistently came to
school each day with a sincere love for teaching and learning, joy and a level of maturity that
maintained a safe and caring learning environment. Ms. Pryor’s ability to quickly establish positive
relationships with her partner teacher, her students, and the school community is a strength that
she will bring into any classroom. Sandy does not hesitate to become involved with classroom and
school initiatives and avails herself to the students, staff and school community at every
opportunity. Throughout the six-week field experience, Ms. Pryor was a welcome addition to the
grade one classroom.

Ms. Pryor, demonstrated her understanding of the grade one learner expectations and prepared
detailed lesson plans that were linked to learning objectives and assessment strategies. The
learning tasks that Sandy created were interesting and engaging for her students as she used a
variety of materials and resources, such as manipulatives, games, technology, songs, and music to
support student learning.

Sandy has a very calm and patient approach to classroom management and treated her young
learners with dignity and respect when redirecting student behavior. She speaks with kindness and
respect when interacting her young learners and greets students at the door each morning to start
the day on a positive note. During her six-week field experience Sandy’s teaching style and voice
evolved in the classroom as she started to respond to a variety of situations in a variety of ways.
Ms. Pryor utilizes several low-key classroom management strategies such as proximity, clapping
patterns, and movement breaks to maintain classroom routines and expectations.

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Throughout her six-week field experience, Ms. Pryor consistently demonstrated that she
appreciates and understands the importance of collegiality and professionalism. She is respectful
in her interactions with her partner teacher, field instructor, staff, and school administration at New
Brighton School. She attends staff meetings, team meetings, and school wide events even when she
is not required to be at the school. From my first conversation with Sandy, it was clear that she was
committed to her growth and development as a teacher and takes her learning as a pre-service
teacher very seriously as she is committed to being the best teacher possible. She seeks out support
when needed and readily accepts feedback with a constant eye toward continual growth and
development.

With the final round of her practicum still to be completed, Sandy has demonstrated the
competencies of an effective pre-service teacher. She is a conscientious, likeable, respectful and
embodies everything professional for a beginning teacher. She is reflective, enthusiastic and a
dedicated educator. Upon successful completion of her upcoming and final eight-week practicum,
coupled with her continued growth as a pre-service teacher and the attributes described in this
letter, Ms. Pryor would be a candidate worthy of your thoughtful consideration for a placement
within an elementary school setting.

Should you wish to discuss this further, please feel free to contact me as noted below or
electronically at kdittric@ucalgary.ca

Sincerely,






Karen Dittrick
Field Instructor
Werklund School of Education
University of Calgary
Phone: (403) 969-0331