To Whom It May Concern,

I have had the pleasure of working alongside Sandy Goodale at Sabis International
Charter School for the past five years. I have seen Sandy provide opportunities for
all students with varied learning styles to participate and succeed in their learning.
She constantly seeks and employs methods that not only enhance her classroom
practice, but which also maximize student development, understanding and
performance. In addition to using a variety of teaching techniques, Sandy also
emphasizes the importance of writing every day and her students are constantly
producing work. Each year in the 6th grade Sandy teaches the novel Esperanza
Rising. Her students do so much more than a cursory read of the novel. Sandy ties
in historical lessons, character studies, critical thinking activities, and comparisons
to other texts and media, in order to enhance the students abilities to make
meaning of the text.
In addition to the work that she does in the classroom, Sandy believes in nurturing
all aspects of a students intellectual and social development. This year Sandy
developed an Art Club for students during their activity period. She also organized a
field trip for students interested in the arts to attend the Springfield Art Museums,
working to enhance their cultural awareness and connections to their community.
She also takes the time to know her students well, and builds strong positive
relationships with them. This year, Sandy agreed to become a mentor for a student
experiencing challenges in her life, and meets with that student during a lunch
period each week.
Sandy Goodale possesses strength of character, determination and intellectual
sophistication. Her conscientiousness and dedication to her craft has been
invaluable to me as her colleague. While I entered the school as a first-year teacher,
she had previous classroom experience, and I have sought her out on innumerable
occasions as a mentor and collaborator. Based on her efforts in all areas of her
career, I am certain she will make a dynamic and positive impact on any school she
is a part of. She is a true professional. Her high academic expectations and the
positive relationships she builds with students, parents, supervisors and colleagues
make Sandy an invaluable member of our school. I have no doubt that she will
continue to do this as a part of your educational community. Therefore, I
enthusiastically recommend Sandy to be a teacher in your school.
Please contact me if you have further questions.

Sincerely,
Karen Morison
Middle School English Teacher

Sabis International Charter School