Plymouth-Canton Community Schools

Miller Elementary School

43721 Hanford Road
Canton, Michigan 48187
Phone (734) 416-4800 FAX (734) 416-4801

April 20, 2011

To Whom It May Concern,

It is a pleasure to write a recommendation for such a promising teacher candidate as Alexandra Alfred.
Ms. Alfred worked throughout the 2010-2011 school year as a student teacher in 5th grade talented and
gifted classroom at Miller. Everyone who came to know her work was very impressed by her ability to
form positive connections with students and her willingness to “go above and beyond” to deliver quality
instruction.

During her time at Miller, Ms. Alfred used several resources to inform her writing instruction, including
Lucy Calkin’s Units of Study for Teaching Writing, Grades 3-5. During her lead teaching, Ms. Alfred
developed and implemented a very
successful poetry unit, using mentor texts
and a successful writers’ workshop to teach
the students how to write various forms of
poetry. Students demonstrated through
their questions and enthusiasm that they
were invested in producing quality work.
Under Ms. Alfred’s guidance, each student
wrote and published a collection of original
poems. As a culminating activity, the
students presented a program “Voicing
Verses”, in which each student presented
one of their original poems. It was evident
that all of the students, even the 5th grade
boys, were invested in and enthusiastic
about this work.

Ms. Alfred demonstrated the ability to challenge student’s thinking and create a classroom environment
conducive to their growth. She is committed to the teaching profession and to the students with whom
she works. She is well received by students, parents and colleagues. She is reflective in her practice and
is able to create, critique, and choose teaching and learning practices that provide children with
meaningful learning experiences. Ms. Alfred would be an asset to any school. Please do not hesitate to
call me, if you would like further information.

Sincerely,

Lynn Haire, Principal

lynn.haire@pccsmail.net