Angel Taveras

Mayor
Susan Lusi
Superintendent
Janelle Clarke, Principal
Peter Quesnel
Library Media Specialist

JUANITA SANCHEZ LIBRARY

PROVIDENCE ACADEMY OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES &
WILLIAM B. COOLEY HEALTH, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL at the
JUANITA SANCHEZ EDUCATIONAL COMPLEX
March 30, 2012
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing in reference to Cynthia Proffitt who recently completed her Practicum requirement for School Library
Media certification along with her required volunteer hours with me at the William B. Cooley Health, Science and
Technology High School and the Providence Academy of International Studies at the Juanita Sanchez Educational
Complex (JSEC). Cynthia demonstrated a commitment to students and to high quality library services while here at the
JSEC Library. All of Cynthias time spent at this busy high school library was of the utmost value to the school
community and to the students here. I recommend her wholeheartedly.
Working in a library that services a school in the midst of dramatic change as mandated by the turn-around process as a
result of a low-performance rating presents unique and taxing challenges. Cynthia adapted well to the frenetic pace,
and quickly threw herself into the work of meeting the needs of the students and teachers in this busy high school
library. The library is well used by full classes, small groups of students, and individual students often simultaneously.
Cynthia jumped right in from day one, assisting students in their project work, helping them locate resources, and
providing students with carefully selected resources. She took on numerous projects that enhanced the attractiveness of
the library while inviting more students to take advantage of the available resources and to expand their reading
choices. Cynthia easily connected with teachers and collaborated with several teachers on units of instruction that
integrated Information Literacy skills with class content. She was confident in presenting instructions to classes, and
students responded well to her. Cynthia worked hard to ensure positive library experiences for the classes by creating
help sheets for students to use as well as activity sheets that got students started in their research. Cynthia also took
advantage of new technologies including producing a LibGuide for a project for a biology unit and adding web links to
the library website. These efforts along with some thoughtful instruction, use of technology, and the helpful
organization of materials made for more productive library sessions for the classes. Cynthias contributions to overall
library operations while she was here were invaluable.
Cynthia also made meaningful connections with students by willingly assisting seniors as they labored through the
process of planning and writing their senior project research papers and with other students as they worked on other
major projects. She made further connections with students by providing reading guidance to students who were
advanced readers as well as reluctant readers.
Cynthia certainly made a positive impact on the JSEC Library and on the students here. I am confident she will be an
asset to any school or organization that she joins.
Sincerely,
Peter Quesnel
182 Thurbers Ave., Providence, RI, 02905, Tel: 401-456-9104, Fax: 401-456-0661 E-mail:Peter.Quesnel@ppsd.org
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The Providence School Department does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, religion, national origin, color, sexual
orientation or disability in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.