Grand Rapids Public Schools

Buchanan Elementary School

Evelyn Ortiz, Principal; Assistant Principal, April Chambliss

1775 Buchanan SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49507 - Phone: 616-819-2252 - Fax: 616-819-2249

March 31, 2016

To Whom it May Concern:
I would like to highly recommend Ms. Rebecca Chavez for a teaching position in your
program overseas. Ms. Chavez has been an exceptional intern through Michigan State
University in my third grade classroom for the entire 2015/16 school year. Buchanan
Elementary is a language center in Grand Rapids, MI with 100% of students qualifying
for free lunch. English Language Learners, primarily Spanish-speaking, make up
approximately 75% of our population.
Ms. Chavez has proven to be responsible, intelligent, professional, and just an allaround fabulous natural teacher. Her professionalism is outstanding. She has
attended staff meetings, professional development, and grade-level collaborative
meetings. She led the majority of parent/teacher conferences both in the fall and the
spring. She interacted positively and respectfully with other staff and parents, making
one-on-one contacts on many occasions.
Ms. Chavez has planned units in all subject areas and completed her lead teaching, in
which she was responsible for the entire day, for 10 weeks. Although her official lead
teaching was only 10 weeks, she has taught all subject areas and taken over most of
the daily routines throughout the year. Ms. Chavez has shown great initiative right
from day one. She has planned differentiated lessons which include learning targets,
hands-on activities, cooperative learning, field trips and assessment of learning
targets. Ms. Chavez takes into account the needs of all students and plans lessons
that will meet their needs. She is very flexible when it comes to changing the plan
based on how students are responding.
Ms. Chavez shows incredible patience, respect and compassion towards all students.
She manages a class by using positive reinforcement and providing clear expectations
and procedures. Ms. Chavez listens to students as they communicate with her,
rephrasing what they have told her, trying to get to the source of their concern. She
has mediated many conflicts between students, always acknowledging their feelings.
Ms. Chavez is respectful towards students who have different backgrounds from her
own. She values and emphasizes strengths in diverse cultures.
Any student would be lucky to have Ms. Chavez as their teacher. Any school district
would be lucky to have her as part of their staff. Please dont hesitate to contact me
with any additional questions.
Sincerely,
Birgitte Rizkalla

rizkallab@grps.org
1775 Buchanan SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49507 - Phone: 616-819-2252 - Fax: 616-8192249