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MEMOTO: To Whom It May Concern

FROM: Ronald Sallade, Student Teacher Supervisor, School of Education,

Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa

SUBJECT: Employment Recommendation for Todd Polansky, Student Teacher,

Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, Spring Semester 2013

DATE: April 5, 2013

This is a letter of recommendation supporting employment for Todd Polansky, a student teacher at Drake

University, Des Moines, Iowa, who will earn a Master's of Arts in Teaching degree and become a fullycertified teacher in May, 2013. I have been supervisor of Todd Polansky's student teaching. Todd's student

teaching experience consisted of a placement at Merrill Middle School, serving the west side of the city ofDes Moines. In that assignment he gained considerable experience in that he taught several sections. Toddtaught four sections of English Language Arts to students in the general education classroom, one section ofAdvanced Language Arts, and one Co-Lab Language Arts class with special education students, under thementorship of Betsy Jayne.

Todd Polanskyis talented academically, earning a 3.72 GPA during his college career at Drake University.Concurrent with his intelligence and teaching abilities, Mr. Polansky is a mature and socially appropriateprofessional. I believe him to be an exceptionally good candidate for placement in that he is certified for:Language Arts: Fifth grade through twelfth grade, and eventually Reading and English Language Learnersfor fifth grade through twelfth grade. He is also interested in getting involved in activities that would help theschool in any way.

In brief, Todd is a quite successful, focused teacher: setting his lessons in context; providing directinstruction, in a quite effective manner; actively engaging students in a purposeful way; using a variety of

instructional approaches; appropriately checking for students understanding; and re-teaching. He creates an

active, positive classroom environment and puts forth considerable effort to achieve his desired outcome. Hisstudents are engaged, and his classroom is very well managed. He conducts himself as a professional inevery respect.

Todd Polansky's lesson plans are well prepared and interconnect appropriately with the course curriculum. Inpreparing lessons Todd has a thorough knowledge of the text and related literature. This knowledge includesrelevant vocabulary. Todd very ably employs a variety of instructional strategies. Students are responsive toTodds instructional strategies. They benefit from positive, interactive rapport with him. Todd demonstrates ameasured self-confidence. Students know that he is helping them and readily accept his instruction. Todd andhis students obviously benefit from mutual respect. Students are attentive to him, readily volunteer, and are

on-task. His explanations are clear. His students like him, are comfortable with him, have a high opinion ofhim, and follow his instruction. Todd has a unique, effective way of leveling with students who are off-task

and need additional support and re-direction. Todd actively engages students in an affirmative wayconcerning the topics he presents.

Beyond knowledge and organization of subject matter, Todd is engaging, approachable, open, concerned,imaginative, and has a sense of humor. These coupled with his enthusiasm for teaching and learning make

him ideal for a teaching position.

Todd Polansky actively demonstrates technological competence in several instances: word processing tocreate lesson plans as well as a variety of materials; in recording and archiving students grades; developingPowerPoint presentations; and in using the Internet to gain more information regarding topics for use in hisclassroom.

As an undergraduate, Todd's main professional background was in English Literature. Upon completion ofhis studies at The University of Iowa, he acquired a job that taught citizens with mental illnesses to integrateback into the community. Todd taught these individuals how to cope with their mental illness. Todd helped

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execute plans that were developed for the individual to reach certain goals aimed at improving the quality of

life for the client. Todd also assisted these individuals in crisis management when hostile situations hadoccurred. Todd also has a background working with individuals with severe mental retardation. Toddworked in an agency that assisted clients with severe to profound MR, and taught them basic life skills.Todd also worked in an agency for one year one-on-one with a client with severe behavioral disturbances.Todd taught this individual proper social skills for living independent in the community. Todd excelled atthese jobs, and they are applicable to teaching.

In short, Todd is an effective, successful teacher.

I recommend Todd Polansky for any teaching position for which he is qualified and certified. Ifrepresentatives from school districts have questions or would like more information, they are invited tocontact me personally:

Ronald Sallade, Ph D.

3715 SW 28th StreetDes Moines, IA 50321-2024515.285.6219 Home

515.249.5627 Daytime MobileRonaldSall@aol.com

mailto:RonaldSall@aol.commailto:RonaldSall@aol.commailto:RonaldSall@aol.com