Wayne Alexander

PO Box 2957
Pincher Creek, AB
Cell: (403) 432-0456
walexander222@yahoo.ca October 20, 2019

Re: Letter of Reference: RISA HASKINS

To whom it may concern:

I have known Risa Haskins as a University of Lethbridge PSII student, whom I supervised in her placement at Aahsaopi
Elementary School in Laverne, Alberta in the Spring of 2019. Although the time frame that I was with her was only
over a short 8 week span, it was intense and I really feel that I saw who she was as a person, as well as her potential
as a teacher. I observed Risa as a PE teacher in Elementary School settings which included all grades 1-6 inclusive.
Although I mainly saw her teach in a gym setting, I also saw her in a classroom and in less formal settings such as
hallways, an assembly and outside supervision.

Risa’s placement in Aahsaopi Elementary School was quite unique. Her classes were very small and the First Nations
culture was evident as you enter the doors of the school. Risa was a perfect match for her placement. Her gentle
demeanor and ease in which she assimilated into the native culture was not only seamless, but effortless. She
developed a keen understanding of the students she taught and they, in turn, felt comfortable with her persona and
relaxed teaching style. Risa was wise to follow existing routines set up prior to her placement and the students
responded favourably to the transition from their regular teacher to their student teacher. Unlike many student
teachers, she is not the type of teacher who teaches her subject first and neglects her students. She recognizes that
her students are unique individuals, and she is driven to provide the best individual instruction possible to fit their
ability. Risa took time to learn their names immediately and greeted each one as they entered the gym. As a result,
they connected with her and enjoyed spending time in her classes. Risa always made her lessons fun and took time
to engage her students during each class. Students in her were always focused on the lesson and looked forward to
their next class. She exhibited excellent classroom management and achieved that without shouting or excessive
use of a whistle. On many occasions, she showed her love of sport by participating with the students. I was also
impressed with Risa’s ability to try new games or activities to keep the curriculum fresh.

Outside of the gym, Risa was well liked by the staff. She was always willing to assist whenever and wherever she
could. On one occasion, I saw Risa showcase her confidence in an unplanned situation that arose. There had been a
lockdown drill and some of the younger students were upset and an unscheduled assembly had been organized in
the gym to calm them down. Risa adjusted well to this major change of plans and instinctively jumped into action as
soon as the classes paraded into the gym by organizing the various classes. She effectively took on the role of a
“traffic officer,” as she flagged them into rows and did it without being asked. At the end of the assembly, she was
able to speak to the entire assembled school body with ease about what the procedure would be if students were
in the gym during a lockdown.

Although I only saw Risa in an Elementary School setting, I think that she would do well with all students from grades
1 to 9. I was extremely impressed with her ability to work with the primary grades. In my opinion, Risa would make
a wonderful addition to any staff.

If I can be of any further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Wayne Alexander
Consultant – PSII Students (Student Teachers) - University of Lethbridge
Teacher – Livingstone Range School Division -Substitute Teacher (Southern Alberta)
Coach – Former Head Coach: Pincher Creek Mustangs Football and Lethbridge Ladies Soccer (MOJOS)