June 10, 2014

Dear Interviewing Team:

I am pleased to be writing in support of Tommy Goldman, a student I have observed this
past year during his Brandeis teaching practicum with Sonya Brown at Boston Arts Academy. From
my observations and multiple conversations with him, I feel Tommy has much to offer your school:
he already has developed a strong presence in the classroom, he is learning to plan engaging and
challenging lessons under his CTs guidance, and he is committed fully to providing a challenging
and supportive environment for all his students.

I love watching Tommy work in the classroom. As students come in, he engages them one on one
with humor and interest. He seems to have something to say to a wide variety of kids. When the
class starts, hes able to shift comfortably into a teacher stance, calling the students to attention,
explaining with enthusiasm the agenda for the day, modeling a new practice (for example, I saw
him model how he would respond to a reading and then asked his ninth graders to follow the same
procedure). I was especially impressed with how thoroughly hes worked on strategies to reach one
student with multiple disabilities- he checked with other teachers, guidance counselors, with the
student herself to find ways to help keep her up to pace with the rest of the students. Tommy also
brings to the classroom his own interests, both in sports and the performing arts- a nice balance.

Secondly, Ive appreciated Tommys openness to suggestions as he develops his skills in planning
lessons. He worked well with his cooperating and the team, following their lead in carrying through
grade-level lessons. At the same time, he was eager to try out his own variations, ready to teach
new short stories, and determined to help his students practice thoughtful discussion skills through
Socratic seminars. I admire his ability to get along with his colleagues and to add his own
approaches with confidence.

Finally I am impressed with Tommys wide range of experiences. He was an outstanding athlete in
college and I can see how he could use that skill to reach the athletes of the school. I liked that he
knows about debate; he can bring those skills to his students both during his class and after school,
teaching them to prepare arguments, to defend their own opinions both on paper and on their feet.
He is passionate about music, about connecting music and literature and writing, all skills that
would support the goals of a well-rounded teacher.

I hope you will consider Tommy seriously as you review your candidates. Tommy is a person with
a big heart and an eagerness to connect and challenge students of all interests and backgrounds. He
has great potential as an English teacher and colleague and would fit in well in your school. Please
feel free to call or contact me; I would be delighted to share more stories and thoughts about
Tommys commitment to excellence in teaching.

Respectfully,

Frannie Moyer
Retired English teacher and Department head at Newton South High School, now mentoring new
teachers in the Boston schools through Brandeis and Wheelock programs
1-617-277-4363 fsmteach@aol.com