Office of Teacher Education 1 10 Hughes Hall

Pittsburg State University 1701 South Broadway Pittsburg, KS

66762-7520
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION 620/235-4489 fax: 620/235-4421

October 27, 2016

Dear Sir or Madam:

It is my pleasure to write this letter of recommendation for Taylor Rice who was a student in my Pittsburg State
University Elementary Mathematics Methods and Elementary Science Methods in 2015-2016. Ms. Rice is the
exactly kind of person you would want to hire as a first-year teacher in your school. Her focus is laser sharp on the
students and what they need, both academically and affectively, to be successful. Watching her bloom in her
understanding of how teaching methodology manifests in life situations was a delight.

Ms. Rice was organized, targeted and reflective in both classes. She developed highly articulated lesson plans well
suited to her students readiness levels and her constructivist teaching style. In her final mathematics lesson, Ms.
Rice reflected that I think I have gotten better at writing lessons that fit my style and goalsscripting out my
questions and each step was helpful for both my confidence and preparedness. Because I had a backup plan and a
backup plan for my backup plan [in terms of differentiation for student needs], I felt ready to teach these
students.

Ms. Rice worked effectively and efficiently in warm collaboration with me and her various teaching partners. She
took a mature and level approach to team dynamics, was forward thinking, and problem solved in a productive
manner when things went awry.

This year, Ms. Rice is student teaching in a fourth grade classroom. Aside from an elementary certification, Miss
Rice is certified to teach science and mathematics at a middle school level. Middle school teachers need a special
skill set which combines viable subject matter knowledge and pedagogy with the dispositional understanding of
how to build warm relationships with quirky early adolescents. Miss Rice has this in abundance. Equipped
patience, humor, and knowledge of inquiry practices embedded within the Next Generation Science Standards and
the Common Core State Standards, Miss Rice would be a very good fit for both upper elementary or a middle
school position in your district.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any other questions you might have concerning Ms. Rice. I firmly believe
would be a positive addition to your school community.

Warmly,

Bridgette Fincher, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Elementary Science and Mathematics Methods
Pittsburg State University
bfincher@pittstate.edu