April 16, 2018

To Whom It May Concern,

Sharla Bazen completed a very successful teaching assisting semester at Alpine Elementary in the Kenowa Hills
Public School District. Sharla was selected for a year-long placement in a co-teaching cohort partnership
between Kenowa Hills and GVSU. During her teacher assisting experience I was her GVSU Field Coordinator
and had several opportunities to observe and evaluate her in the classroom.

Sharla was placed in a second-grade classroom that is one of three in the building. All three second grade
teachers worked together closely to provide small group instruction in leveled groups in both math and
language arts daily. Sharla quickly embraced her role as the leader of her small group and delivered lessons
daily that she prepared herself. Sharla’s daily responsibilities included orchestrating the beginning of the day
routines and leading both small group and whole group instruction. Sharla attended parent-teacher
conferences, the school-wide community night and the fall open house. She also attended the district
professional development days and the staff orientation prior to the first day of school in September and
participated in weekly planning sessions with the second grade PLC team. Sharla even assisted over the
summer with moving everything out and then in again during a building remodel.

Sharla’s upbeat and energetic demeanor, along with her firm and consistent approach to classroom
management made her effective in orchestrating productive and engaging lessons without many behavior
issues. Sharla was eager to learn of ways she could improve and took suggestions to heart.

Sharla was always a willing participant in our weekly seminar. She worked well with others and demonstrated
the ability to listen to other student’s ideas as well. All of her assignments were completed, turned in on time
and of high quality. Sharla exhibited professionalism in all areas of her Teaching Assisting semester. It is
without hesitation that I enthusiastically recommend that Sharla continue to pursue a teaching career. I am
confident that she will work hard and will thrive in any classroom and that all students will benefit from her
guidance.

Feel free to contact me should you have further questions about Sharla’s fit for a specific position.

Sincerely,

Sheryl Vlietstra-Affiliate Professor

College of Education-Grand Valley State University
616-843-3192
vlietssh@gvsu.edu