March 16, 2018

I am quite pleased to write this very strong recommendation, without reservation, for Nicole Rapp. This
recommendation centers upon Nicole’s intellect, her commitment to teaching secondary social studies, and
her ability to work with others. I came to know Nicole as her social studies methods professor at Miami
University during the fall of 2016 and spring of 2017.

Nicole is extremely bright, perceptive, and creative. She displays an analytical wit and reflective approach to
making decisions about instructional strategies and content. She is also very well read, passionate about
social studies content, and has a deep knowledge on a wide variety of planning and instructional tools. Her
academic record at Miami has been exceptional. But she is more than just an excellent student of the social
studies disciplines; she is also a dedicated professional who has sought out a variety of teaching and
leadership-related experiences. I fully expect her to operate as a seasoned teacher during her first year in the
profession.

Nicole’s commitment to social studies instruction is remarkable. She consistently reflects on how to
effectively engage students in innovative ways. Nicole structures learning experiences that allow students to
understand content in fun and meaningful ways. Moreover, Nicole has a very strong grasp on assessment and
the manifold ways in which student apprehensions can be measured. Her lesson plans consistently
demonstrated an exquisite flair for engaging students, to be sure, but also for ensuring mastery of state and
local curriculum objectives.

Finally, I have observed Nicole’s social behavior in group discussions and deliberations within the methods
course. In short, she exemplifies collegiality through her considerate and enthusiastic ability to work with
others. Not only will she fit harmoniously within any department, but she also has peerless skills of
facilitating balanced and thoughtful discussions. Her social acumen is immediately evident in her open-
minded, receptive, and fair approach to diverging opinion and she is a collaborative, humble, and cooperative
pre-service teacher who will be a significant asset for the very fortunate social studies department and school
that will ultimately hire her.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about this most outstanding future teacher.

Sincerely,

Thomas Misco, Ph.D.

Professor of Social Studies Education
Director of Graduate Studies
College of Education, Health, and Society
Miami University
301G McGuffey Hall
Oxford, OH 45056
miscotj@muohio.edu
513-529-4264