ELIZABETH A.

DAVIS
Associate Professor, Science Education, and Chair, Elementary Teacher Education

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION 610 E. University, Room 4107 ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN 48109-1259 734 647-0594 FAX: 734 763-1368 betsyd@umich.edu

April 1, 2013 To Whom It May Concern: This is a reference letter in strong support of Kristen Welton. I have every confidence in her abilities as an elementary teacher. Kristen was a student in my Managing to Teach class in Winter 2012, and in my Elementary Science Methods course, during the Fall 2012 semester, both here at the University of Michigan School of Education. Through these and other experiences, I came to be impressed with Kristen's propensity to engage in teaching practice, think through important issues in teaching, and deport herself professionally. For the science methods course, Kristen taught two science lessons, and I observed both of these via her video recordings. For example, one lesson focused on the growth of mold on bread, as a part of a unit on "nature's recyclers". Kristen did very nice work in improving the lesson plan she received from her mentor teacher, ensuring that students would have the opportunity to experience the growth of the bread mold and make sense of what the conditions would be in which the growth was most extensive. Kristen interacted well with the students in her classroom, and then reflected effectively on her own teaching. She drew on the videorecording that she had collected of her teaching, and used specific examples to point to areas of strength in her teaching as well as areas where she needed to keep working. Kristen also participated well as a student in both of the classes in which I taught her. She was engaged and interested in the class discussions, gave good feedback to her peers, and supported her groupmates by challenging their thinking in respectful ways. When I asked Kristen about her student teaching, she described in detail how she is working on classroom management in conjunction with her science teaching. She also described the ways in which she has grown in her ability to circulate effectively, working with an individual student or a small group while keeping an eye on the entire class. She is a teacher who will continue to grow as she gains experience, because she reflects on her specific experiences and builds on them moving forward. Whenever I write a letter like this, I think about whether I would want the individual teaching my daughter (currently in fifth grade). I can say that in Kristen's case, I would have absolutely no hesitation at all. Kristen is already a great teacherknowledgeable, effective, caring, and reflectiveand will only get better as she gains experience.

In sum, Kristen Welton will be a great teacher. Her enthusiasm for teaching, growing understanding of the issues surrounding this difficult job, and positive attitude will help her be an effective teacher. She will make a great contribution to her school, through her dedication, insight, and collegiality. I wholeheartedly recommend her to you. Please do not hesitate to contact me for more informationbetsyd@umich.edu or (734) 717-8292. Sincerely,

Dr. Elizabeth A. Davis Associate Professor, Science Education Chair, Elementary Teacher Education