To Whom it May Concern,

 

    As a teacher at the Jewish Community Preschool, I am pleased to write this recommendation on behalf of Brooke Barker. I oversaw Brooke during her out-reach program in association with the University of Michigan from which she was hired on as a teacher in our classroom.  Serving first as a her mentor teacher for the out-reach program and then switching to a co-teacher has allowed me to become familiar with Brooke’s ongoing understanding of child development as well as ability to take direction and follow her own instincts. Brooke’s many positive qualities include a mature demeanor, respectful to both her fellow teachers and the students, caring and thoughtful, incredibly responsible, and flexible.

    Out of the 5 students whom I have served as a mentor teacher for, Brooke is one of the most  - if not the most – responsible and driven in becoming a teacher. For her final project (which she worked on in a team with another student), she chose a relevant topic for the students that followed the High Scope curriculum.  Brooke’s peers chose a topic that was more random and didn’t follow along with the children’s interests (the High Scope Curriculum).  Brooke, however, chose to focus on Careers, which the children had been acting on in the classroom during their play and Brooke followed her instincts which exemplifies her ability to read a classroom and follow a curriculum.

    Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know Brooke as a co-worker as well.  She was hired after her semester with us a student teacher which again, exemplifies her work ethic and sheer ability to join a classroom community.  She does a fantastic job of ensuring each child in classroom respects each other and that is through her ability to be a role model.  She does a wonderful job of modeling self-guided learning and giving students the tools and guidance they need so they are prepared to accomplish tasks on their own.

    Brooke strives for excellence both in and out of the classroom. Brooke’s passion and motivation to be a teacher are evident, and I believe that she will continue to excel in the field of education and wherever her journey may lead her. Brooke is a delight to have in the classroom and I wish her continued success. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.

 

Best,

Allison Mertzman