January 9, 2015

To whom it may concern,

I am writing this letter of recommendation on behalf of Sarah P. Roth. I worked closely with
Sarah for six years as her supervisor from Morningside Centers Supplemental Educational
Service (SES) at Public School 24 in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. I am impressed with her deep
concern for students, dedication to their learning, and her commitment to quality education.
I have overseen Sarah working in many different capacities and can attest to her ability to
communicate effectively with different people in various settings. From young, inexperienced
students to professional experienced teachers; Sarah is patient, kind, and understands how to
offer her knowledge and support.
Sarah first began working for Morningsides SES in 2006 as a teacher of struggling Spanish-only
speaking kindergarten students, most of whom had very little experience in an English-speaking
classroom. Sarahs job as an after-school teacher was to teach these very young learners early
literacy skills in English. While observing her lessons, I could see that the children were tired
after a full day of rigorous classroom learning; yet Sarah sang songs, read captivating stories, and
led interactive games and activities that encouraged each child to learn at their own pace. Sarah
demonstrated the importance of routine and firm classroom discipline, yet the children exhibited
comfort in the learning situation and excitement to learn a new language.
From 2006 to 2010, Sarah taught both literacy and mathematics in the SES after school tutoring
program to every grade at PS 24, demonstrating her teaching flexibility and range of
instructional techniques. For the youngest students, Sarah kept kindergarteners intrigued with
interactive lessons and for the older students Sarah easily managed more freedom for the select
of partners or a game of their choice.
I also observed Sarah teaching 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students, several of whom were struggling in
social settings - saying or acting inappropriately with other students or adults. Having worked
previously as a classroom teacher for 2 years at PS 24, a setting where conflict-resolution was
essential to successful learning, Sarah had an excellent understanding of several ways to guide
children and consistently coached them to resolve their own conflicts.
In 2010, Sarah left SES to have her 1st child, but she returned less than a year later to work again
with kindergarten students. At the end of the 2010 school year, I offered Sarah the position of
Teacher Leader of SES at PS 24. From 2011-2012, Sarah worked closely with me in a
supervisorial role of assisting teachers with their supplies, lessons, or students. Sarah also
worked closely with the Teaching Assistants occasionally led brief meetings to deliver program
announcements and gather information from these teachers. Sarah also had good rapport with the
students parents and often called parents or met with them in person to discuss a students
progress in the program. As Teacher Leader, Sarah took on the task of tailoring a FOSS Science

Curriculum to the needs of 3rd Grade Students in order to prepare them for a standardized test.
She worked diligently to acquire and distribute the lesson plans, student materials, and all of the
laboratory materials for the teachers to complete the adapted lessons within specific time
constraints. Thanks to Sarahs organization, diligence, and hard work, our SES students really
enjoyed learning the significant scientific concepts presented in the inquiry-based Science
lessons.
I would have welcomed another year of working with Sarah at PS 24, but funding for
Morningsides SES Program was cut and thus terminated.
Sarah has the skills, flexibility, experience, and commitment that supervisors seek in a teacher. I
highly recommend Sarah P. Roth as a teacher for your international school.
Deborah Gordon
Director, College and Career Planning
New York City Department of Education
New York, New York
212-374-7828 (office)
718-638-8518 (home)