April 2, 2017

It is with pleasure that I recommend Mackenzie Magner for a position as a

special education teacher. I serve as Site Professor for secondary students
who intern in Mapleton under the U C Denver Urban Community Teacher
Education Program. Ms. Magner was placed in a special education classroom
at Mapleton Expeditionary School of the Arts for first semester of this current
school year and has continued her assignment as a permanent substitute in
this same classroom. Mackenzie has demonstrated a high level of
instructional skill and a strong teacher presence in carrying out her
responsibilities at MESA.

Mackenzie has had a unique experience at MESA in that she was asked, due
to a health emergency of her supvisory teacher, to assume the full time
teaching assignment of her class part way into her internship semester. With
great support from school staff she was able to successfully complete this
challenge and continue in the assignment this semester. This experience
allowed Mackenzie to demonstrate her competencies in working with special
needs students and to accelerate her learning of special education processes
and protocols such as staffing procedures, I.E.P. implementation, assessment
procedures, etc.

While Mackenzie exhibits many strengths as a developing special education

teacher most important is her calming and steady teacher presence and her
genuine supporting relationship with her students. Observations quickly
demonstrate that students want to be around her and look to her for
guidance and assistance. These qualities are critical in allowing her to be
successful in a special education classroom.

Mackenzie also demonstrates strong instructional skills in her teaching. She

can build effective lessons for students following the curricular requirements
of the school while adapting instruction for her students individualized
needs. She is very cognizant of addressing literacy goals while teaching
specific curricular content. Her classroom-learning environment is positive
and focused; effectively redirecting negative behaviors or concerns.

I would definitely support a positive consideration of Mackenzies application

to a permanent teaching position within the District. She already
demonstrates the competencies to be a proficient special education teacher
while showing potential to expand her abilities and provide benefit both to
the school site and District as a whole.

Best Regards,

Frank OHara
Site Professor
UC Denver Urban Community Teacher Education
francis.ohara@ucdenver,edu