The purpose of this letter is to share with you my impressions of Kristina
Bassiacos as a professional educator. As a twenty-seven year teaching veteran, I have facilitated many student teachers over the years. I can honestly say that I would, without a doubt, hire Kristina for a position in my district. Kristina is extremely organized, focused, always attentive and watchful, taking-in as much as possible from every encounter. Further, I would feel privileged to work on the same team with Kristina. Kristina has been in my classroom in varied capacities over three years. The first, in conjunction with a course, she observed for approximately ten hours. The second year, Kristinas junior year, brought her into my classroom for her junior block placement. She attended my class two days per week for the spring semester. Kristina observed, assisted students, taught small group as well as whole-group lessons, planned a unit, and got a genuine feel for a second-semester elementary classroom. One example of Kristinas proactivity and organization occurred on the very first day of her junior block placement. Kristina was assigned to write and implement a unit sometime in the next twelve weeks. That first day, she asked me to help her come up with a topic. We did and she then approached her profession who replied How did I know that you would be the first student to ask me about your unit, Kristina? This year, Kristina student taught in my room the first semester of the year. She experienced what I feel is one of the most challenging situations that a teacher can encounter; the rawness of a brand-new group of nineteen full-day kindergartners, including high-needs learning support as well as ELL students. She participated in turning that group into a well-oiled social, emotional, and academic machine. Kristina co-implemented a 2014 Common Core-based math series, Pearson Realize, while developing an appreciation for increased math rigor in kindergarten! Kristina taught lessons along the continuum from whole group to individualized, one-to-one Kid Writing lessons. Kristina has sat-in on IEP meetings, Child Study meetings, parent teacher-conferences which included an eye-opening home visit. I could mention more valuable experiences, but I will let Kristina tell you about those! For me, her work ethic makes Kristina stand out from the rest. Many student teachers, near the end of their placements, will disengage and use a computer and phone and try to get non-school work done during while they sit and ride-out their last few days. Kristina, on the other hand, used her time to either observe other teachers in varied grades or further observe me teaching while helping students. She looks at every, single situation as an opportunity to learn and grow as an educator. Kristina always wants to get better! In conclusion, you are hiring a very hard-working, dedicated teacher. Kristina has grown by leaps and bounds in every way and I fully expect her to keep developing, just as every effective professional should. Please contact me if you need any more information about Kristina! Sincerely, Marianne Barlett - Kindergarten Teacher Lewisburg Area School District 570 523-3220 ext. 3111