HENRY WISE WOOD HIGH SCHOOL

910 – 75 Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB T2V OS6

t | 403-252-2261 f | 403-777-7929| henrywisewood@cbe.ab.ca

October 29, 2018

RE: Reference for Teaching Application

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing this letter in support of Kathleen Carrier. She is currently completing

her Professional Semester Three practicum with me at Henry Wise Wood High
School. Kathleen is teaching English 20-1 and 20-2. Throughout her time at
Henry Wise Wood, Kathleen has proven herself to be a professional, passionate,
and competent educator. She has involved herself in the wider school community
outside of the classroom and is constantly seeking to challenge herself to be the
best teacher she can be. Kathleen fosters effective relationships with students,
staff members, and parents. She makes it a priority to get to know her learners
and has earned their respect. Kathleen’s performance in this practicum has been
very strong; it is sometimes easy to forget that she is a beginning teacher.

The lessons that Kathleen develops are of high quality. She is clearly passionate
about English Language Arts and is motivated to share that passion with her
students. Kathleen has a solid grasp of literature across a variety of genres and
regularly incorporates technology in her lessons to enhance her students’
understanding. Kathleen’s lessons are creative, interesting, and respond to her
students’ needs. Kathleen constantly seeks to relate her lessons to her students’
interests, working to remain current and relevant. Kathleen prioritizes the needs
of her learners and incorporates skills that they need to practice in her lessons in
a timely manner to ensure relevancy. Kathleen’s passion for teaching is also
evident through her creativity; she uses many different teaching techniques in
order to ensure optimal learning. After each lesson, Kathleen reflects on her
strategy, content, and students’ learning as she is making her plans for the next
lesson. When Kathleen needs help with a student, she doesn’t hesitate to ask and
has made valuable connections with many staff members, in particular, the
teachers who support our students with Independent Program Plans (IPPs). After
liaising with other teachers, Kathleen takes on their advice and applies it in a way
that will benefit her students. Kathleen manages her classroom well and remains
firm, but fair when faced with conflict. With Kathleen’s strong skills, she could
step into any classroom from this point forward and find success.

Aside from her work in the classroom, Kathleen has been involved in all
professional development and department work that has been offered to the staff
this year, which includes task design, trauma informed practice, outcomes based
assessment, and work on our school development plan. Additionally, Kathleen
has involved herself in our broader school community through supporting our
Link Leader (student mentor) training, grade 10 orientation activities, and Link
Block (homeroom). She has also been involved in running our Gay Straight
Alliance (GSA) meetings each week. Throughout all of these extracurricular
activities, Kathleen has proven herself to be an empathetic teacher who is
dedicated to improving our school community.

Kathleen is a resilient, creative, empathetic teacher who makes her students feel
cared for and supported in their learning. I wish Kathleen all the best as she
embarks on her journey in Education and know that she will continue to inspire
students throughout her career. If you would like further information, please do
not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Malynda Kouperman, B.A., B.Ed

Learning Leader, School Culture & Student Engagement
English Teacher
Henry Wise Wood High School
Calgary Board of Education | mrkouperman@cbe.ab.ca
t | (403) 253-2261 | ext. 2106
f | (403) 777-7929

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