Calvin Christian School

Phone (403) 381-3030

Box 26 Fax (403) 381-4241
Coalhurst AB T0L 0V0 Email office@ccschool.ca

4 July 2018

To whom it may concern:

It is my pleasure to write in support of Allison Van Herk’s application for employment. It has been a real
privilege to work with and get to know Allison over her first two years of teaching at our school. I have filled
an indirect supervisory role (with the elementary vice-principal directly responsible) during that period, and
a direct evaluative role as Allison completed her second year of teaching and was successfully evaluated for
permanent Alberta certification. On that basis, I warmly recommend her to your consideration.

A distinguishing characteristic of Allison’s classroom and her interactions with students is her positive,
encouraging demeanour. She is able to identify and reinforce positive attributes even of challenging
students, motivating her classes and building a strong rapport with her students. She has clear expectations
but is appropriately flexible in responding to particular students and circumstances. Allison has
demonstrated an ability to modify programming for students with specific learning needs, and to work with
paraprofessionals and parents to seek success for all students.

Allison is proactive in her preparation, displaying a thorough grasp of Alberta programs of study and an
extensive range of strategies to bring learning to life in her classroom. Assessment and evaluation tools and
practices are varied and appropriately focused on learning outcomes. Her preparation for student work and
engagement, including through well-articulated routines, helps Allison to minimize off-task student
behaviours and optimize learning. When corrective measures are necessary, her focus is on deepening
students’ empathy and their understanding of the consequences of their behaviour choices.

Despite her status as a beginning teacher, with all the busyness that implies, Allison was very engaged in
collegial practice. She became involved in a number of committees and initiatives, and volunteered as a
presenter during an in-house mini-conference. She also demonstrates consistent reflection on her own
work, seeks feedback from peers and administrators, and actively incorporates insights and suggestions into
her practice.

Overall, Allison is a capable and conscientious teacher, and I have no hesitation in recommending her for
your consideration. Her willingness to challenge herself and her deliberate effort to excel has been evident
in her first years of classroom teaching, which has resulted in provision of excellent learning opportunities
for her students. While we understand her reasons, we will be sorry to lose her from our staff!

Please do not hesitate to contact me (marc.slingerland@ccschool.ca or 403-381-3030) should further

information be required.

Yours truly,

Marc Slingerland
Principal