Teaching and Learning

June, 22, 2015

To Whom it May Concern:
It is my pleasure to recommend Mekenna Ellis as an outstanding candidate for a principalship in
your district. Mekenna has been the Reading Specialist at Jefferson Elementary School in
Wauwatosa since the fall of 2012. I have had the opportunity to work with Mekenna over the past
three years both as her direct supervisor as Principal at Jefferson, and this school year as the
Supervisor of Inclusive and Culturally Responsive Education (K-12).
In her role as Reading Specialist, Mekenna demonstrates a steadfast commitment to coaching and
collaborating with staff toward further development in order to best meet the needs of all students.
Mrs. Ellis is skilled at identifying areas of need for both staff and students, assessing learning,
recording, tracking, and analyzing data toward continuous improvement. She has been a driving
force toward school improvement with the ability to maintain focus on the overall vision while
strategically executing the necessary action steps to achieve identified goals.
Mekenna has extensive knowledge in the areas of curriculum, instruction, and assessment. She is
student-centered, growth-minded, creative, innovative, and works to develop positive, professional
relationships with students, staff, and parents. She willingly takes on multiple roles including
instructional leader, coach, mentor, teacher, student advocate, and PBIS coach. Her versatility and
willingness to do whatever it takes to advance student and staff learning has facilitated a high
level of credibility among staff members. Staff respect Mekenna as a leader, seek out her insights,
and value her as a resource. She is a lead-learner in the building engaging others in the process
of continuous learning with her contagious passion for growth. With focus and determination she
continuously grows her staff, providing support, direction, and leadership.
Mekennas leadership extends beyond her own school building extending throughout the District as
she collaborates with Reading Specialist colleagues and Instructional Coaches. This school year
she collaborated to plan and deliver one of the elementary professional development days for our
Building Leadership Teams. It is her active pursuit for new knowledge in the areas of both
instructional leadership and staff development that reinforce her credibility and strengthen her ability
to strategically plan and deliver with a high level of effectiveness.
It is with great pleasure that I highly recommend Mekenna for an administrative position in your
district. Mrs. Ellis is passionate about her own learning, that of colleagues, and most importantly
accelerated learning for all students. She is a highly effective, strategic instructional leader. For all
of the aforementioned reasons, Mekenna would be an outstanding addition to your administrative
team bringing knowledge and passion to the table toward meeting the needs of the children in your
district. Please feel free to call me at 773-1100 so I can further elaborate on Mekennas leadership
qualifications.
Respectfully,
Stephanie Calarco
Supervisor of Inclusive and Culturally Responsive Education (K-12)
12121 W. North Avenue Wauwatosa, WI 53226 414.773.1030 FAX: 414.773.1037
www.wauwatosaschools.org
The Wauwatosa School District does not discriminate on the basis of a person's color, sex, race, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed,
pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability.