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KATHY KORLIN, PRESIDENT

MARIA FARIAS, VICE-PRESIDENT

ELSIE ALLEN HIGH SCHOOL

BAND BOOSTERS
Kyle Thompson, Band Director

KYLE THOMPSON, TREASURER

LAURA ORTEGA, SECRETARY

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Est. 1996

Kyle Thompson
599 Bellevue Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95401

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March 24, 2016

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To Whom It May Concern,
My name is Kyle Thompson and I am the music director at Elsie Allen High School. It is
my pleasure to write a letter of recommendation for Jeffrey Hayman.

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Mr. Hayman has done an exceptional job in the EAHS Music Department in the past year
where he has shown a strong curiosity for teaching and learning, exhibited excellent
growth in his teaching skills, presented an exceptional aptitude for self-reflection,
developed a wonderful rapport with students, and demonstrated an immense desire to
succeed as an educator.

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Even during the first semester at Elsie Allen when he was predominantly observing my
classes, Mr. Hayman was already expressing his curiosity in the art of teaching. From the
moment he walked into the classroom, Jeff began asking questions about why I taught a

599 BELLEVUE AVENUE SANTA ROSA CALIFORNIA 95407 7075285020

T W E N T Y F I R S T C E N T U R Y O F E X C E L L E N C E IN M U S I C

lesson a certain way, what the demographic was of students I taught, or what my
philosophy was as an educator. His curiosity about all aspects of teaching how to

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organize a lesson, how to develop classroom management strategies, how to balance your
life as a teacher with your life outside of school, etc. consistently reassured me that he
was meant to be an educator and did not take the pursuit lightly.

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Mr. Haymans teaching in the first semester immediately showed promise. When we
started the second semester, I felt so confident in his teaching and leadership skills, that I
handed over two of my classes a concert band/drumline class with 45 students and a
guitar class with 30 students for him to teach for the first two weeks with very little
interference from me. Mr. Haymans teaching far exceeded my expectations. We now
co-teach the concert band/drumline class and he has continued to teach the guitar class
completely on his own as well as assist me in all of my classes. Mr. Haymans lesson
plans are consistently thoughtful, organized, appropriate, and complete.

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Mr. Haymans self-reflection is outstanding. Since I have known him, Jeff has had a new
teacher-related question for me each day. In our daily talks, Mr. Hayman does not shy
away from one of the more difficult questions about teaching What do I need to
change in myself that will make me a better teacher? He faces each challenge he is
presented with as an educator in a genuine, head-on manner. His desire to understand
how make a difference for all of the students in his classroom demonstrates the desire to
adjust his teaching until he reaches everyone. As he teaches, Mr. Hayman can quickly
modify his plans as he works when he understands whether or not a particular strategy is
effective by observing the success of his students.

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Every day, Mr. Hayman make a significant effort to connect with his students. He keeps
track of all of his students behavior and makes every attempt to get to know all of them
on a personal basis. He has spoken to nearly every student in a one on one fashion and

makes astute observations about how they learn so that he can continue to modify his
lessons appropriately.
Mr. Hayman wants to be a great teacher. Throughout the semester, Jeff has shown up
every day to my classes on time, he has participated in field trips including trips and
performances that were on the weekends and he has done all that has been requested of
him without fail. Mr. Hayman goes above and beyond his work as a student teacher
because he believes that what he is doing will make a difference in his students lives. I
have been honored to work with him this year.

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Therefore, I recommend Mr. Hayman for a position as a music teacher without
reservation. His motivation to perform at a high level while keeping a positive attitude
and a good sense of humor is inspiring. Mr. Hayman has my utmost respect and I wish
him the best in his teaching career.

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Sincerely,

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Kyle Thompson, EAHS Music Director
Elsie Allen High School