April 16, 2013 Letter of Recommendation for Mary McEwan Over the years, I have written many letters

of recommendations for students. Of these, this one is a privilege to write. I have had the pleasure of Mary in two of my philosophy classes, and when she asked me to provide a recommendation for her, I felt honored that I could do this for her. She is one of the finest students I have met at the college, and I highly recommend her for a teaching position in your school. You will see from Mary's academic record that she is an outstanding student. Academically, she is one of the strongest students I have met. I have known Mary as a student in my philosophy courses including philosophy of education. Mary was the most well informed student in my classes and was able to draw connections how different theories of education would impact her approach to teaching science. I stress to all my students how important it is to identify and integrate information from their other courses when doing philosophy, and Mary was one of those who could integrate her learning from science and education while doing philosophy. She not only recognized that the theories of education inform what occurs in a learning environment, but she understood the advantages and limitations of various approaches to education. This foundation in theoretical approaches will serve her well as she pursues a teaching career. From a more practical perspective, I have observed Marys work with students and been able to see the end result of this work. For several years, she has served as a tutor for students taking logic. Whenever I found out a student had her as a tutor, I knew the student would receive support tailored to what they needed. I could track the progress of students Mary worked with and readily observed how the improvement in their work. Mary closely observed the students she tutored, assessed what approach would be most effective instructional techniques, and provided support and encouragement. I am sure she will bring this same level of commitment to any student she teachers and will be an exceptional educator. Mary is one of those rare individuals who is able to challenge herself and in the process encourage others to excel in their own endeavors. As a teacher, she will be an inspiring and supportive role model for those she encounters. I would encourage you to meet with her and you will find she will be an exceptional teacher. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. Sincerely,

Ed Teall, Ph. D. Professor of Philosophy

Philosophy Department Phone: 845-569-3165 | Fax: 845-569-3507 | E-mail: ed.teall@msmc.edu