Northern

California 175 Phelan Ave, San

Partnerships: Bay Francisco, CA 94112
Area & Sacramento
Tel 303–807-4607
Fax 415-534-0991
http://soe.lmu.edu

June 26, 2019

To Whom It May Concern,

Over the past year I have had the honor of working with Alix Rives as both her University
Supervisor and her professor as she worked toward her Education Specialist credential with
Loyola Marymount University. It was inspiring and fun to see her grow during her first year
teaching an SDC 6th-8th special education class at Reef Sunset Middle School in Avenal,
California. She is a natural in the classroom and worked hard to meet the range of abilities in her
classroom every day.

Alix consistently showed growth throughout the year as she has learned to tackle the challenges
of teaching a self-contained special education class, along with the challenges of being a first-
year teacher. I have seen her develop relationships with students, implement new behavior
management strategies, fight for access to better resources for her students, shape and reshape the
instructional strategies and “stations” format that she uses in her class, and much more. She has
also gracefully managed the more specific challenges that arise in an SDC classroom, such as
differentiating instruction for 14 different students and navigating the interpersonal relationships
between the students that have existed long before she started teaching them.

From day one, Alix expressed a sincere desire to get to know her students and their needs. She
managed to accomplish this and form genuine relationships with many of her students, along with
a deep understanding of their specific needs and strengths, which she leverages when designing
and implementing lessons. Alix always showed a desire for improvement and growth, she was
always open to suggestions and excited to learn new strategies and techniques to help her
improve her practice.

Alix has always approached her work with positivity, excitement, and a genuine desire to
improve. She is a strong teacher and a reliable colleague, and I think that she would be a
wonderful addition to any staff. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about my
time working with Alix.

Thank you,

Kate Murray
Kate Murray, M.Ed
NorCal Partnership Liaison
Faculty and University Supervisor
Cell: 303.807.4607 | Kate.murray@lmu.edu