PEACE CORPS/NEPAL

November 16, 2004 Dear Sir or Madam: I am writing in reference for Natalie Teske. As a Program and Training Officer with Peace Corps/ Nepal, I was Natalies supervisor while she served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nepal. Natalie is dedicated, intelligent and caring. She was active in her primary role as an English resource teacher and also engaged in several projects in addition to her primary assignment. Her motivation and commitment were evident. Natalie built good relationships in the community in which she worked and was valued by her peers and colleagues alike. Natalie began serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nepal in May 2003. Prior to becoming a Volunteer, she participated in an intensive 12-week training program in country. The training program included in-depth Nepali language, cross-cultural, community entry and technical training, safety and security training, and two weeks of practice teaching at a Nepali government school. During practice teaching Natalie became familiar with the difficulties of teaching in Nepal: large classes, insufficient materials, poor attendance rates, difficult textbooks and lack of motivation on the part of some students and staff. Technical training covered English teaching methodology, curriculum assessment and evaluation, making classroom materials using locally available resources, adjustment to Nepali attitudes towards teaching and learning, and classroom management strategies. Natalies primary assignment was as an English Resource Teacher at Shree Janaki Girls High School in Mahendranagar in the far west region of Nepal. She taught third, fourth and fifth grade English classes the first school year, and fourth, fifth and sixth grades the last two months of her service teaching approximately 25 hours per week. In addition to teaching, she handled the appointment and regulated the distribution of 23 scholarships to disadvantaged girls to attend public schools, and held weekly informal trainings on making classroom materials, visual aides and classroom management techniques. Natalie also engaged in several secondary projects during her service she regularly tutored 4-15 girls after school, incorporating creative writing, music and critical thinking with a love of teaching to influence their goals for their futures. She also weekly volunteered at a government orphanage of 45 children, from ages 5-18, teaching no-materials, non-competitive games and songs and facilitating in cultural exchange. Natalie also taught informal cooking classes with the added impetus of nutrition education and cross-cultural sharing. Additionally, Ms. Teske organized two libraries for a social organization, prepared a girlempowerment day camp, collaborated with another PCV and 20 Nepali students over five months to the culmination of an educational HIV/AIDS drama, which over 500 community members saw, and finally, she helped to organize a New Horizons two-day life skills training for 25 6th to 11th grade girls. Natalie served in Nepal during a very stressful time. The Maoist insurgency was increasing in intensity, and the safety and security situation was extremely fluid, in fact culminating in the evacuation of the volunteers and the suspension of the Peace Corps program in Nepal in September of this year. Despite the political stresses, Ms. Teske handled herself maturely throughout her time here, and was devoted and well integrated. Her warmth and positive energy during the evacuation and suspension of the program were a source of strength. I am pleased to give her my recommendation. Sincerely,

Sherry Russell
G.P.O. BOX NO. 613, Kunja Niwas, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal 4410707 (4410019, 4410930, 4410869), FAX 977-1-4423840

December 28, 2012 To whom it may concern: I am thrilled to write a letter of recommendation for Natalie Teske Rector. Natalie is one of those rare individuals who is able to accomplish anything she sets out to achieve. Natalie is a gifted writer, an avid reader, and a savvy technology user. I had the privilege of working with Natalie when we were both fourth grade teachers at Eagles Nest Elementary School in Orlando, Florida. She brought a fresh approach to teaching and was more than willing to incorporate new techniques into an existing paradigm. She is able to work well with others and lead them into using new technologies for the benefit of students and teachers alike. Natalie is adept at integrating herself into new and unusual situations. She served as a teacher in the Peace Corps overseas. She was able to teach English to the local students even though she did not have any materials provided to her. She has learned how to take almost anything that happens to be on hand and turn it into a learning tool. Natalie will be a great addition to your program. She collaborates with others, she learns quickly, and she applies what she learns to a variety of situations. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please feel free to contact me. The easiest way to reach me is through email. My email address is legesdahl@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Egesdahl