PERKINS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DAN KOSS, PRINCIPAL SHELLY JOHNSON, DEAN OF STUDENTS G AIL KROMRIE, OFFICE MANAGER 2/29/12

To Whom It May Concern: Ms. Emma Sorensen has taught in my classroom for 8 weeks at Perkins Academy in the Des Moines Public School District. Our school climate is diverse in many aspects. Of our 26 third graders, we have 4 ethnicities represented. Our students academic needs are at all ends of the spectrum. The class also consists of several gifted and talented students. Our students come from a wide range of socio-economic status as well. Ms. Sorensen effectively recognized individual student differences and maintained a nurturing, caring, and safe environment for all. Ms. Sorensen is also functionally fluent in Spanish, which was a huge benefit in working with our diverse students. She demonstrated a genuine sense of respect for each and every one of them and their differences. Ms. Sorensen possesses many skills that are crucial to successful teaching. Some that really made an impression on me are her ability to take initiative, her professionalism, her organizational abilities, and her positive, consistent classroom management. Ms. Sorensen took this experience very seriously and was always looking for ways to contribute, help, expand, and improve her teaching. She is extraordinary at reflecting on ways to become a better teacher. Classroom management seems to always be difficult and most challenging for student teachers. Ms Sorensen worked hard to stay in control of every situation. She provided a strong, consistent climate for learning and success in the classroom. Ms. Sorensen was remarkably talented in this area as a new, inexperienced teacher. Ms. Sorensen consistently demonstrated poise and self-confidence in every situation. She was seen by the students as a trusting and caring adult. Flexibility is crucial to keeping your sense about you and keeping a productive teaching environment. Ms. Sorensen had many situations in which schedule changes and additions to teaching needed to occur. She did so with ease. Her maturity to accept comments and suggestions and to reflect insightfully on her teaching showed a very responsible and passionate beginning teacher. Ms. Sorensen has a strong commitment to education and is very enthusiastic about teaching the curriculum to students. She models respect and responsibility and helps students problem solve peacefully. Ms. Sorensen is a fantastic teacher. She has a very bright future ahead of her. Laura Nicodemus Third Grade Teacher 4301 College Ave. Des Moines, Iowa 50311 515-242-8430 Fax: 515-285-1868 www.danny.koss@dmps.k12.ia.us

Perkins Academy 242-8430

4301 College Ave. Des Moines, Iowa 50311 515-242-8430 Fax: 515-285-1868 www.danny.koss@dmps.k12.ia.us