To Whom it May Concern:

I had the pleasure of mentoring Danielle McCormick this year as she interned in my classroom.
My current placement is Resource Teacher for lower elementary students at Woodside
Elementary. Our building is a Title 1 building, with approximately 80% free/reduced lunch. We
are also a racially diverse building. In this placement Danielle had the opportunity to work with
students in Young Kindergarten through 2nd grade in push-in and pull-out settings. The students
Danielle worked with this semester have a range of disabilities that include both academic and
behavioral challenges.

Danielle impressed me with her ability to jump right in at the beginning of the semester and
follow the rules, routines, and procedures I was working to establish in my classroom. For being
a beginning teacher, I was blown away with the ease in which Danielle was able to build rapport
with students and confidently lead small groups of students after being in my classroom for only
a short period of time.

As Danielle continued to teach, she continued to impress me with her ability to plan creative and
effective lessons that were engaging for students. She also worked with me to assess/monitor
student progress. Danielle plans lessons that allow for guided gradual release of responsibility
and takes into account the needs and interests of students. Danielle was beginning to plan
multiple lessons in a row. As she continues to have practice with this, I am confident that she
will grow in her ability to assess student learning and make changes to a lesson based on
assessment feedback.

Danielle has a natural ability to see what needs to be done in a classroom and she takes initiative
to get it done. She is also inquisitive and we were able to have some great discussions relating
topics discussed either in her courses or in professional development sessions to her placement in
my classroom based on questions she has asked. Danielle initiated thoughtful reflection on
lessons and the educational practices she observed.

During her placement in my classroom Danielle had the opportunity to work with several other
teachers in addition to myself. She was polite and respectful, but also able to advocate for the
students she was working with based on their IEPs. Danielle collaborated with teachers to plan
the scheduling logistics for working with students, and discussed content so that she could
integrate concepts into her lessons. In addition, Danielle collaborated to implement behavior
plans, as needed.

Danielle would be an excellent candidate for a study-abroad program. She is confident, adapts
well to new situations, and is knowledgeable about curriculum and adapting it to fit the needs of
students with a variety of ability levels. Any school would be truly lucky to have Danielle as an
intern in their program.

Sincerely,

Grand Valley State University College of Education 499C Richard M. DeVos Center Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Amanda Mendiola
Resource Teacher
Woodside Elementary
616-786-1900 x3313
mendiolaa@westottawa.net

Would you recommend this candidate for student teaching? _______Yes _______No

Cooperating Teacher Signature_________________________________________________________ Date________________

Grand Valley State University College of Education 499C Richard M. DeVos Center Grand Rapids, MI 49504