Thomas

Worthington High School

300 West Dublin - Granville Road
Worthington, OH 43085
(School) 614-450-6200
(Fax) 614-450-6391
www.worthington.k12.oh.us

Jim Gaskill, Principal

Rebecca Chattman, Assistant Principal
Julie King, Assistant Principal
Gene Smith, Assistant Principal
Dan Girard, Director of Athletics
Pete Bluvol, Dean of Students
Scott Gordon, Dean of Students
Kathy Scott, School Counseling Dept. Chair

January 21, 2015

It is with pleasure that I write this recommendation for Jennifer Stone. Jennifer has taught Spanish at
Thomas Worthington High School for seven years and I have had the opportunity to observe her
classroom on several occasions throughout that time as her supervising administrator.

Jennifer teaches nearly completely in Spanish and strives to incorporate Hispanic culture across her
lessons, from teaching Spanish plays to practicing grammar in the context of Spanish paintings. It is
clear that she cares immensely about her students and knows them well. Students work to use the
target language in class as much as possible and are clearly excited to learn and practice their skills.
Jennifer also has a wealth of background knowledge in Spanish, having spent considerable time in
Spain, where she earned a Masters degree in Spanish Language and Cultures, and several South
American countries where she has volunteered and traveled. Jennifer has wide content knowledge of
regional customs and linguistic varieties, and she engages students by bringing these topics into her
lessons.

Additionally, Jennifer is reflective and consistently seeks to improve her teaching. She has been on the
Spanish Curriculum Steering Committee for three years, driving changes to the structuring of Spanish
courses across the district, and she attended the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign
Languages in Columbus in 2012. She writes thoughtful daily reflections on each lesson that she teaches
and is extremely organized and responsible. She carefully plans lessons far in advance and sends
monthly newsletters to parents and students including a calendar of assignments and resources to use
for class. Jennifer also collaborates with her colleagues and shares ideas frequently with other
members of her department.

In addition to teaching Spanish levels 1-4, Jennifer is also involved in extracurricular activities and the
Worthington community. For example, Jennifer is the original advisor for the Diplomas of Distinction
program (an honorary program that recognizes students for excelling in particular content areas upon
graduation), now in its sixth year. Jennifer also advised the National Honor Society and Harry Potter
Club, and independently organized an in-school field trip for all Spanish classes to learn salsa dancing
from a local instructor. Furthermore, Jennifer recently donated photography services to benefit the
Worthington Educational Foundations Evening of Excellence to fund educational grants in the district.

Jennifer has also advised the Sarah Forster Memorial Scholarship throughout her time at Thomas. This
Spanish scholarship began in the 1990s in support high school students wishing to study or volunteer
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abroad and has grown every year since Jennifer has managed it. Originally a small scholarship of which
few students or parents were aware, it is now widely publicized and honored at events like the Senior
Awards Assembly. Beginning the last year, the original donor has even been able to meet the recipients
in person due to Jennifers management.

Jennifer Stone is an exceptional Spanish teacher and would be an asset to any school and department
of which she were a part. I am happy to provide more information or answer any questions you may
have about Jennifer; please dont hesitate to contact me.

Gene Smith, PhD
Assistant Principal, Thomas Worthington High School
gsmith@wscloud.org

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