Recommendation for Nicole Swenson

Recommendation Submitted by:

Name & Title: Ms. Bethany Johnson
Submission Date: Tuesday February 18, 2014
Affilation: Professor
E-Mail: Bethany.Johnson@bellinghamschools.org

1. Describe your experience working with this candidate that forms the basis of your recommendation.
Nicole took a course from me that prepared her to receive her TESOL endorsement. The course focused on
academic instruction for intermediate English language learners. It was a 5-credit class during the summer of 2013.
2. Describe the candidates academic and problem solving attributes and talents in relation to those
necessary to be an ambitious, capable, and effective educator for all students.
Nicole is incredibly flexible. During the course of the class, the students were put into pairs and were in charge of
teaching a small group of non-English speakers. THis was to put into practice the instruction I gave them in class. All
the other students had adults with similar characteristics. However, Nicole and her partner had young children who
were atypical of the program. Nicole stepped up and took the lead with this, planning and executing grade level
material that was targeted to her students. She looked at this sitatuion as a challege and stepped up. I was
consistently impressed with her ambition and effectiveness.
3. Describe the candidates ability to effectively communicate with students and colleagues in a pre-primary
through secondary school setting.
Nicole is easy-going and smart. She knows what she is talking about when she speaks up and she does so with
confidence. This demeanor causes others to look up to her and seek her out as a leader and representative. She
works well with everyone and knows how to be diplomatic and bring out others' voices. I witnessed her finesse with
young children and college students alike.
4. Describe the candidates ability to collaborate with primary/secondary school students, teachers,
professors/instructors, and/or colleagues in an effective, positive, and open-minded manner and the degree
to which the candidate is receptive to constructive feedback/criticism.
Nicole is a team player. She knows the value of speaking up and staying quiet when it suits the group. She is a
leader among her peers, but is not overbearing. Most of the work in my course was done as a group. Nicole was
open-minded and positive, teaching and learning when it was appropriate. She was careful and constructive of her
feedback and took time to listen to those who had things to say to her.
5. Describe the type of school-based pre-primary through secondary activities the candidate has been
involved in with as much detail as possible (lesson planning, teaching, assessment, etc.).
While in my class, she took over the lesson planning and teaching of a small group of kindergarteners for 3 weeks.
She adapted lessons to meet their needs, created materials, played learning games, and planned based on their
feedback.
6. Describe the professional dispositions (engagement, respect, responsiveness, care, honesty, etc.) the
candidate reflects when working with pre-primary through secondary school students in a classroom
setting.
Nicole is approachable, responsive, engaging, respectful, and caring. She is consistent, accountable, and humble
when she doesn't know something. In a classroom setting she is warm and caring with her students, laughing easily
and putting people at ease. I have no qualms when recommending Nicole.
7. Describe areas of professional development that EducatorsAbroad faculty and school personnel ought to
focus on to best help the candidate become an effective educator of all students.
Nicole is a natural teacher. She will hone her skill with practice, as we all do, but she has the natural instincts and
creativity that will make her an outstanding teacher. I recommend her with no hesitations.
8. What personal and professional strengths will the candidate bring to their placement?
Nicole is creative and fun-loving. She loves children and that shows in her dedication and care. She is great in a
team and will pour herself into her work. She is honest and she will be a wonderful addition to any staff.

Recommendation for Nicole Swenson