Margaret O.

Hanna • Field Instructor

Elementary Teacher Education

May 1, 2018

University of Michigan
School of Education
610 East University Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing this letter of reference for Alexandra (Alex) Wagner. I have worked with Alex in my
position as a field instructor the University of Michigan since she entered the Elementary Masters
and Certification (ELMAC) graduate program in June 2017.

Throughout the past year, Alex has had experience working with a broad range of learners. At
the beginning of her internship, she taught math and literacy using a project-based approach to
rising second and third grade students during an academic summer school. During a math
methods course, she taught fourth grade students in an after-school tutoring program. Through a
literacy methods course, she taught a writing unit to small groups of fourth grade students.
Throughout the fall and winter of the 2017-2018 school year, Alex worked in a kindergarten
classroom in a school that is academically, socioeconomically, culturally, and racially diverse. In
this classroom she gained experience with whole group, small group, and individualized
instruction. She also developed relationships with each child and used Responsive Classroom
techniques to develop a positive classroom community. In each of the diverse placements listed
above, Alex quickly built relationships with students and staff and jumped right into each role with
enthusiasm and commitment.

Alex is very well organized and a thorough and thoughtful planner. She carefully prepares
lessons using state and local content expectations, Common Core Standards, and themes from
the school’s IB units of inquiry. She creates detailed plans that script her thinking and goals
during the lesson. Her plans are intended to push students to think beyond the classroom walls
and into their local and global communities. Alex circulates around the room as students work,
checking for understanding and monitoring their engagement in the task. Alex is also
exceptionally reliable and hardworking. She worked hard with the other interns to develop a
family literacy night event for K-2 students in the school. She is a phenomenal team member
who is always ready to collaborate.

Alex monitors individual students’ reading skills during guided reading lessons and writing
lessons. These assessments drive her instruction and help her reflect as well as differentiate her
plans and assignments.

610 East University Avenue, Suite or office number T: 734.xxx.xxxx F: 734.xxx.xxxx

Ann Arbor, MI 48109 xxxxxx@umich.edu
 Margaret O. Hanna • Field Instructor
Elementary Teacher Education

Alex relates to students in fair, caring, and respectful ways. She creates and supports a safe
learning environment for all students and is genuinely interested in and supportive of each child.
She believes in the potential and learning ability of each child and seeks out ways to for all
children to feel successful. She believes in applying positive approaches to classroom
management and implementing consistent expectations and routines to support this. Alex not
only makes her classroom safe and consistent but she applies her own personal style to create
an engaging and fun atmosphere, too.

Alex is consistently professional and takes time to get to know the students, families and staff
she is working with. She has a true desire to be an excellent educator. She consistently seeks
feedback from others, asks for suggestions, and responds positively to constructive feedback.
She will be open to and enjoy the mentoring available to beginning teachers.

Please contact mohanna@umich.edu if you have any questions or need further information.

Sincerely,

Margaret O. Hanna
ELMAC field instructor

610 East University Avenue, Suite or office number T: 734.xxx.xxxx F: 734.xxx.xxxx

Ann Arbor, MI 48109 xxxxxx@umich.edu