LINCOLN K-8 CHoice SCHOOL. 1122 8™ AVE ROCHESTER MN 55904 507.328.3550 March 21, 2016 To Whom tt May Concern: {tis my pleasure to submit a letter of recommendation to you on behalf of Melissa Oliver. I have had the privilege of working with Melissa as she has had two student teaching experiences over the past couple of years at Lincoln K-8. Melissa did an incredible job working with students of all ages and contributed a great deal as she went above and beyond in working with students and staff. Mrs. Oliver has demonstrated tremendous talents working with students including creative lesson planning, great patience, sound behavior management, data collecting analysis and sound teaching pedagogy. Her willingness to step up and help students was a great asset to Lincoln, Melissa is an all-star educator in every sense of the term as she set the bar high for herself and the students she works with every day. She has demonstrated a strong commitment and dedication as she volunteered many hours to work with students before and after school. Just about every evening you could find Mrs. Oliver giving extra support to students in the RAP Program. Melissa was very supportive to the school community as she even volunteered to chaperone the school dance, help with other classrooms, and many other ways. Furthermore, Mrs. Oliver's skills and abilities as a teacher are far beyond her years as our staff and parents marveled at Melissa's effectiveness in working with all students. Collaboration with fellow staff members and her PLC was a great asset as they worked very well together and this paid off for the students. These creative units and lessons they created were truly fantastic and student engagement was amazing with every lesson. Melissa has great “people skills.” Her honest, pragmatic communication style has been appreciated by her colleagues. and by the students she has served. Melissa has consistently used her experience, knowledge and expertise to build leadership skills in others and derives great satisfaction from students’ success, She has maintained a strong commitment to her own personal and professional growth as well as to the academic and social growth of students. Melissa has modeles the role of both leader and learner with the same level of energy and enthusiasm. In both student teaching experiences | have worked with Melissa Oliver | have been thoroughly impressed with her dedication to students. Melissa is always going above the call of duty for students and families. | strongly recommend her for any teaching position as she is truly a gifted educator. There are not enough words to express how incredible this up and coming teacher will be for all of her students. Please call me to discuss Melissa and her incredible gifts and talents as I consider her to be one of the very best educators | have ever known and she is yet to even start her teaching career. Sincerely, Jim Sonjy, Principal 507-328-3540 jasonju@rochester.k12.mn