March 14, 2015

To whom it may concern:

It is my privilege to highly recommend Mrs. Ashley Stolk for hire with your school
district. Ashley was an outstanding addition to my classroom during the 2014-2015 school year.
During her student teaching, it was a joy to see her create and deliver an engaging work
sample, challenge students to achieve to the highest standard, and build meaningful
relationships with the sixth graders she worked with.
In preparing her social studies work sample, Ashley worked diligently to make sure the
scope and sequence of her lessons aligned with the common core, engaged students, and
provided various ways of differentiation to meet the variety of learning styles that were in the
classroom (10 students were on a learning IEP). By using technology such as google classroom,
creating hands-on experiments such as fruit mummies, and leading the class through learning
targets and I Can statements, the students were enthusiastic to participate in the activities
and responded well excitement to Ashleys teaching style.
Mrs. Stolk always challenged her students to achieve to the best of their ability. if a
student struggled with an assignment or concept, she was always willing to provide additional
support before or after school to help with the success of that child. She always had the best
interest of the student in mind. All students were expected to think for themselves, not allow
others or the teacher to do the thinking for them. I appreciated this philosophy and her
professionalism within the classroom.
I believe that the most important part of teaching is the relationship you develop with
your students. A relationship that holds students accountable, but one where the students also
understand that the teacher is there to support them academically and socially. Ashley Stolk did
this in a genuine way. Students knew that Mrs. Stolk cared for them, but that she would also
hold them accountable for their work and behavior. She would always check in with the
students before class started to see how life was going. She would also provide additional
academic support when she knew students needed more individualized instruction or examples
with an assignment. Ashley quickly earned the respect of all staff and students through her
caring and approachable personality. It is with these attributes of an educator, that I know
Ashley Stolk will be an outstanding addition to any school that is lucky enough to call her a
fellow staff member.

Sincerely,
Troy Thorsby
Thurston Middle School
Sixth Grade Teacher