Keene State College

229 Main Street

Keene, NH 03435-2611
www.keene.edu

December 3, 2018

To Whom It May Concern,

Nathaniel Spence completed his 14 week Early Childhood Practicum placement at the
Child Development Center at Keene State College in May of 2018. The Child
Development Center serves infants through preschoolers and is a best practices
demonstration site for early childhood development majors enrolled in the teacher
education certification program (Birth to age 8). The center is open 10 months a year
for full days from 7:30-5:30. Keene is a small New England city of about 35,000
located in the southwest region of New Hampshire.

As a teacher in the infant classroom Nathaniel worked with 6 infants, ages ranging
from 4 to 18 months. In the same large room as the Infant program, is a Toddler
program enrolling 8 toddlers, ages 18 months to 3 years. Permanent staff for each
classroom includes a morning Facilitating Teacher, an afternoon Early Childhood
Teacher, one teacher who floats between the two classrooms, and a staff of supporting
work study students.

Nathaniel worked in the classroom with children four mornings a week during his
academic placement. During his placement, Nathaniel was responsible for all aspects
of teaching in a childcare setting within a team. His responsibilities included family
communication, child guidance, curriculum development and implementation, the
classroom environment as a third teacher, supporting children’s daily routines, and
collaborating with team members. Nathaniel attended daily seminars with the
Facilitating Teacher where he discussed children’s development as it correlated to the
New Hampshire Early Learning Standards and NAEYC best practice.

During the first weeks of his placement, Nathaniel focused on learning and observing
the children’s temperaments and cues so that he was able to individualize for and
deepen his relationship with each. All infants responded positively to him. He was
very respectful in his approach, gaining the children’s attention and letting them know
exactly what was happening prior to and during caregiving routines. His observations
guided his work with children appropriately and helped him develop emergent
curriculum specific to the children he was working with. He developed sweet, trusting
relationships with each child and demonstrated empathy, thoughtfulness, respect, and
an understanding of their situations in such a way that allowed children to feel safe in
his presence.
 Keene State College
229 Main Street
Keene, NH 03435-2611
www.keene.edu

He provided an environment that was peaceful and appropriate for all children as they
separated from their parent(s), for the first time for most of them; as they experienced
the materials in the room; and as they developed relationships with other children and
the adults in the space. He demonstrated safety consciousness and showed himself to
be responsive to all the children’s needs. Nathaniel’s Learning Experience Plans were
appropriate and successful in that they allowed him to explore with children what
worked and what could have been done differently. He followed the lead of each child
as he interacted with them while implementing the lessons he prepared. When we met
each day to conference, Nathaniel was able to articulate what he saw, heard, felt, and
did for and with each child with both confidence and clarity. When he had questions,
he was willing to ask for clarification not only from me but from his teammates as
well.

Nathaniel was very professional and respectful to families. He made eye contact, used
their names, asked and answered questions, as well as shared verbal and written
anecdotes. Nathaniel showed initiative, asked solid questions, and was able to take
and implement feedback in order to improve his practice. He got along very well with
others and became a valuable member of our team. He showed himself to be an open
minded, solid teacher, and a genuine asset to our program.

It is my firm belief that Nathaniel would make an important contribution to any team
that he seeks to join. I know him to be a hardworking, thoughtful, curious, motivated,
consensus person. He understands child development, the importance of team work,
and would bring his ability to collaborate to the group. I certainly would welcome him
back into my classroom anytime. Please feel free to let me know if there are any
questions that you might have.

Sincerely,

Jan Richards, CMHC

Child Development Center
Keene State College
229 Main St
Keene, NH 03431 janet.richards@keene.edu
603-358-2216