Recommendations

Recommendation #1

REDMONDSCHOOLDISTRICT
VERN PATRICKELEMENTARY
3001 S.W. Obsidian. REDMOND, OR 97756
(541) 923-4830

December 31, 2008


Dear Selection Team,
I am writing to recommend Sara Norton for a teaching position. I have had the privilege of working with Sara for one and a half years as her supervisor. During that time, Sara has proven herself to be a very dedicated individual committed to ensuring high levels of student achievement, an effective program coordinator, and a lifelong learner.

Sara is serving in her fifth year as the ELL teacher at Vern Patrick Elementary School. In her role, she demonstrates a strong ability to create lasting relationships with students and families which in turn develops the foundational trust that allows her to be an effective instructor. Sara has assisted in the development of a vocabulary instruction notebook in addition to creating a scope and sequence for our elementary curriculum district wide which is aligned to state standards. The curriculum materials she has designed are richly contextually based which assist her students in developing schema in the English language for the world around them. She provides this systematic language instruction to 76 children daily in 8 instructional groups. Students enjoy participating in their language classes.

Sara is instrumental in the implementation of our after school Spanish literacy program "La Clase". La Clase is a once weekly after school program led by volunteers. A group of six mothers serve as teachers to provide instruction in the students native language, Spanish. The coordination of this program is an extra duty that Sara has taken on due to her passion for creating effective learning outcomes for her students.

Sara demonstrates a great passion for learning and experiencing cultures .outside of the United States. She attends classes and seminars which provide further background and training for her work with ELL students. Additionally, Sara is passionate about traveling and exploring and honoring cultural differences.

We have been fortunate to have Sara a part of our Vern Patrick team! In fact, largely due to her efforts, Vern Patrick Elementary was one of six schools designated as a "Rising Star" in the State of Oregon for narrowing the achievement gap in lower achieving sub groups, including English Language Learners. This is an incredible achievement, and we are thankful for all of Sara's efforts in helping the students in her program.

I write this letter in support of Sara, and wish her the best in her pursuits of teaching experiences abroad, but will be very saddened to lose such a fine teacher! It is my sincere hope that she will return to Vern Patrick in the future.


If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to call upon me.

Kristen Rooney-Gleeson
Principal








Recommendation #2

February 4, 2009

Recommendation of Sara Norton as English teacher

To whom it may concern:

I met Sara Norton in September, 2004. I had just retired as English Language Learners' teacher at Vern Patrick Elementary School, Redmond, Oregon, in June of 2004. In September she became the English Language Learners' teacher. At that time, with the commitment of mothers of some of the Spanish-speaking students, we started a Spanish literacy once-a-week after school class for Spanish-speaking students in the school. La Clase de Lectura Hispana took place in Vern Patrick School and had the support of the principal and staff members. I became the Coordinator, the mothers were the "maestras" and Sara became the Liaison Teacher between the school and La Clase.

At a minimal cost, the Mexican Embassy gave us textbooks used throughout Mexico to
teach reading and writing to all students. With these books and their own creativity and ideas "maestras" began teaching children in grades 1-5 to read and write in Spanish, their native tongue. During their regular school day, these children were immersed in English only, no matter the degree of English they might understand. Our pay was our commitment to the program. We were volunteers creating a class together.

We were convinced that being literate in their primary language would create a solid base for learning their second language, speaking, reading, and writing besides aiding the students' pride in their native language and cultures of origin. By joining into this weekly commitment, Sara began to know her students more deeply and to also know their families. At the same time she was expanding her ability to speak, read and write in Spanish, her second language. La Clase gave her the opportunity to practice. She and I became instant colleagues enjoying together a challenge we believed in.

La Clase is in its fifth year now and thriving. Sara has been avidly involved in the growth of this class. She is motivated and creative in her work with La Clase. She is collegial and respectful with the "maestras" as well as being loving and respectful of the students. The children love and respect Sara. She knows the majority of the children as she teaches English to them during the school day. She can "think on her feet," and also substitute for an absent "maestra" at a moment's notice. Together we support the "maestras" in their challenge of being strong teachers. La Clase would be at a loss without her. She is in charge of all correspondence between students and families. She and I work as a harmonious team. Over the years La Clase has grown from 20-25 students weekly to 50 - 55 weekly.

From time to time I observe Sara teaching English to her students as I happen to be
working in the ELL classroom at the same time. The children work hard, are focused and enjoy their lessons. The atmosphere Sara creates is studious and enjoyable. Laughter is common. Sara is dedicated, energetic and attractive, a teacher committed to her work. She is professional and intellectually strong. She is a lover of English and Spanish language. During these past five years she has traveled to a variety of Spanish-speaking countries to immerse herself in Spanish language classes including: Peru, Nicaragua,Mexico (Oaxaca, Puebla, and San Cristobal de Las Casas). She has also travelled in Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Mexico, including Mexico City, Baja Sur, and Yucatan.

Her ability to speak, read, and write Spanish continually grows and her appreciation for Latin American countries, cultures, and customs is deep and sincere. She will be a wonderful teacher of English for children and I can only imagine for adults as well as I have the regular opportunity to observe her personal involvement with the parents of our students.

I will sorely miss her. We have had a rich and rewarding time together in our work with La Clase de Lectura Hispana. I am pleased for her to take this step and immerse herself in a Spanish speaking country teaching English.

Carolyn Winch

Coordinator of La Clase de Lecura Hispana
Vern Patrick Elementary School
Redmond, Oregon




Recommendation #3