To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing this letter of recommendation for Mr. Steven Neal. I am currently an English teacher at Owosso High School and had
the privilege of supervising Mr. Neal as his mentor teacher. Mr. Neal is an outstanding educator and has much to offer both staff and
students in any district. He strives to be involved, to help out in any area of need, and to make connections with everyone in the
building. Steven has a multitude of skills that are essential for teaching, and he works very hard to do his best in the classroom as
well as in all professional duties around the building. His work ethic proved to be one of his strongest assets as he was always
prepared with lessons and ideas that went above and beyond. He has a real passion for motivating and educating students with real
world lessons that students are able to carry over into their personal lives.
During Mr. Neals time at OHS, he was completely responsible for one English 9 class as well as working in two other English 9
courses during his ten-week lead teaching. One of the classes was team taught with a special education teacher and fourteen
students with special needs. With the varying levels of understanding and high number of at-risk and special needs students, it was
obvious that Mr. Neal encouraged individual growth in all students. He truly understood the importance of building relationships
with his students, and he worked on this skill everyday by being available before and after school as well as creating lessons that
encouraged students to reflect on situations in their own lives. Mr. Neal paid close attention to student needs and created lessons
based on abilities as well as current issues around the world. His lessons were organized and engaging, and students were receptive
to his style of teaching. Throughout his student teaching experience, Mr. Neal took opportunity to reflect upon and identify areas of
strength and need. This reflection included his own teaching as well as the learning of his students.
During Mr. Neals ten-week lead teaching, he was completely responsible for the creation of an Argumentation unit which included a
focus on the podcast Serial. In this unit, Mr. Neal developed several PowerPoint lessons to help students understand the process of
writing an argumentative letter. While students learned the importance of how to build valid arguments, Mr. Neal taught the
importance of using evidence and warrants to help support claims which was identified as a major need for our students. While
listening the Serial podcast, students were expected to keep track of evidence and collect data in a Detective Notebook as well as
add findings to their Detective Bulletin Board that was used by all three classes. Students were engaged throughout these lessons
and looked forward to the interactive lessons that occurred daily. Along with the development of the argumentation unit, he also
came up with Writing Wednesday lessons to help students increase their writing skills and confidence on written assignments. Mr.
Neal also co-planned Of Mice and Men, To Kill a Mockingbird and a research unit with the focus on career pathways. In each unit,
Mr. Neal brought new ideas and ways of reaching students at all levels.
Mr. Neal was also responsible for two intervention courses during his lead teaching. These courses were called Approaches to
Learning; one of them was a freshmen course, the other a sophomore course. In these classes, Mr. Neal was responsible for building
relationships, helping with organization and study habits, checking weekly work, and making sure students keep on top of their
grades in all courses. He was able to help students feel more confident and prepared for their workload in all classes.
As Mr. Neals mentor teacher, I feel confident recommending him for a teaching position in your district. Beyond his abilities in the
classroom, his work ethic is noticed around the building where is volunteers his time as an adviser for the Gay Straight Alliance
student group, at After School Tutoring, as well as involvement at several extra-curricular activities. Mr. Neal showed his
professionalism in all areas including his attire, punctuality, attendance at all department, staff, and School Improvement Meetings,
and his appropriate relationships with colleagues and students.
After mentoring Mr. Neal during his internship at OHS, I feel that Mr. Neal will make a significant contribution as a secondary
educator. I give him my sincere recommendation for your teaching position. If I can provide additional information to support Mr.
Neals application for a position in your district, please contact me at 989-666-6185 or email at aymorj@owosso.k12.mi.us.
Sincerely,
Jackie Aymor
English Teacher, Owosso High School
765 E. North Street
Owosso, MI 48867
Phone: 989-723-8231
NCA Accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools