Department of Early and Middle Grades Education | West Chester University

Recitation Hall | West Chester, 19383 | 610-436-2944 | fax:610-436-3102 | www.wcupa.edu

March 22, 2018

To Whom It May Concern:

I have been privileged to supervise Paige Price during her work as a student teaching intern in regular
education. I have learned about Paige’s many strengths as an educator during visits to her placement in
Ms. Watson’s third grade classroom in Fern Hill Elementary School, through her course work, and
through our seminar meetings on campus.

Paige was chosen to participate in our first Professional Development School (PDS) semester, a
partnership between West Chester University and West Chester Area School District. As outlined in this
uniquely intense student teaching model, Paige began work with her mentor teachers during the teacher
in-service days in August, then spent three full days a week in her classrooms throughout the fall while
completing course work. On January 2, she seamlessly transitioned to the full-time teaching schedule,
spending half of the day in a special education classroom and the other half in Ms. Watson’s regular
education classroom, a schedule which she will continue until the last day of school in June.

The months of experience and practice in many different Fern Hill classrooms has allowed for
tremendous growth in Paige’s teaching abilities. She has been able to form strong collaborative
relationships with mentor teachers, other PDS colleagues, and with her students in both regular and
special education. Paige has consistently exhibited a professional attitude, and a desire to seek and apply
feedback. One way she was demonstrated this was through the implementation of Whole Brain Teaching
strategies in order to effectively manage her third-grade learners. Paige was reflective in her practice and
saw much success in her efforts.

Another area of strength is the creativity Paige shows in planning. Each lesson I observed focused on a
specific standard or concept and included engaging instruction, meaningful practice and application, and
opportunity for student interaction. Paige shows knowledge of individual differences and is able to
employ teaching strategies to meet individual learning styles. Each of her lessons made strong use of
technology to engage learners in instruction. Throughout the semester, Paige expressed a goal to make
real connections with her learners and she has accomplished this goal.

It has been a pleasure to supervise Paige. She has demonstrated every professional competency in the
teaching-learning setting. She will be an outstanding asset to any school faculty and I would highly
recommend her for a teaching position.

Respectfully,

Lanya Harkins

Instructor Lanya Harkins

Student Teaching Supervisor
lharkins@wcupa.edu
The Professional Education Unit is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education
Middle States Association and Pennsylvania Department of Education

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education