MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY April 2019 To the Prospective Employer of Morgan Denyes, have had the distinct pleasure of being Morgan's MSU Field Instructor during her fifth year internship. Morgan spent the nine month intemship in a third grade classroom at Buchanan Elementary School. Buchanan Elementary is part of the Grand Rapids Public School system. The population served is primarily Hispanic where the majority of the students are identified as English as a Second Language (ESL) leamers and considered At Risk students. To describe Morgan | have many characteristics to choose from. These include, but are not limited to; creative, collaborative, reflective, organized, energized, dedicated, genuine, caring, patient, kind, consistent, intelligent, and ‘engaging. For the purpose of this recommendation | will focus on REFLECTIVE, DEDICATED, and ENGAGING. A teacher who is always leaming and improving is one that is REFLECTIVE. From the first interaction with Morgan ‘she was seeking feedback so that she could lean and improve her practice. She would ask thoughtful questions to both me and her mentor. During the post observation conference following a lesson, she could identify the strengths of her lesson as well as the areas where she would have made changes and WHY she would have made changes. She implemented formative assessments so that she could use the data to guide her reflection. While being reflective and open to feedback are excellent teacher qualities, what was more impressive is how she would put the feedback into practice! | recall conversations on a Tuesday and by Thursday her plans and instruction already incorporated the ideas and strategies that were discussed, Morgan's dedication goes beyond the amount of time she plans, spends at school, or purchasing things for her future classroom. She is DEDICATED to building relationships that help each child succeed within her classroom. She recognizes that without relationships built on genuine care and trust, her lessons will have a lower rate of impact and student success will be compromised. Prior to starting her internship, Morgan once shared that her “dream job” would be middle school math. Following her 9 months in a third grade classroom she realized that the only place she can see herself teaching is an elementary classroom. When asked what changed her mind, she spoke about relationships and how both she and the students grew and benefited from them. Morgan's planning of lessons is phenomenal! Within each lesson she always seeks ways to make the content interesting and ENGAGING! Morgan understands that kids need to have movement, opportunity for collaboration and discussion, as well as the opportunity to experience the content when possible. For example, when teaching her students Michigan history and the birth of the car she created a lesson that allowed the students to experience the benefit of a conveyor belt. Following the lesson the students were able to discuss ideas such as quality versus ‘quantity, supply and demand, and other topics related to the content. | recall one student even thanking her for making fearing so much fun. It was due to her understanding of the content standard, various engagement strategies, and students level of understanding and/or prior knowledge that allows her to create systematic, engaging, and thorough lessons. ‘Morgan is more than ready for her own classroom. As a retired principal, she is a teacher | would have loved having in my building. | have know doubt the district that hires Morgan Denyes will benefit as will her students! Sincere)f, e Amy phat ip Instructor 616 540 7584 fandionuphamam2@msu.edu