GTC Field Coordinator

College Of Education
388C Devos Center
Grand Valley State University
301 West Fulton
Grand Rapids, MI49504-6495

June 14, 2015

To Whom It May Concern:

It was my privilege to work with Melissa Gilman during the 2013-14 school year as her university
field coordinator. During my school placement visits, classroom observations and weekly seminars I
have found Ms. Gilman to be a person of high moral character. I observed Melissa ten times
throughout the school year in a variety of classroom situations. She is professional, energetic and
committed to learning about and improving her craft.
She put forth a great effort in curriculum planning, preparation and presented lesson concepts and
activities in an engaging, interesting, and effective manner. Her self-designed unit plan titled
Rereading and Retelling encouraged critical thinking and successful achievement for all students.
Melissa worked extremely well with her cooperating teacher. She gained confidence and made
outstanding progress in developing appropriate and effective classroom management skills. Ms.
Gilmans efforts in classroom management led to a disciplined and organized classroom that allowed
students to learn in a secure and creative learning environment.
Melissa completed her elementary student teaching seminar requirements in an outstanding manner.
She showed appropriate concern for assignments and completed all assignments in an exemplary
manner. Ms. Gilman demonstrated a very cooperative attitude and a willingness to learn during
seminar sessions.
In summary, Ms. Gilman has displayed she qualities that make a successful teacher. She is
dependable, motivated, and is in tune with the needs of her students. She works well with colleagues
and is able to learn from those around her. Melissa attended staff meetings, Parent-Teacher
Conferences, P.D. Days, and the Fire-Up Conferences at Aquinas College and GVSU. She was
professional, prepared, and reflective. It is with pleasure that I highly recommend her for this position.
Sincerely,

Russell L. Barneveld
616-430-2900