Sandra Leu Bonanno

March 28th, 2019

Urban Institute of Teacher Education - Supervisor
1700 Student Life Way
Salt Lake City, UT 84112

March 28th, 2019

To Whom It May Concern:

It is my great pleasure to write this letter of recommendation on behalf of Yessenia Sontay, an

accomplished student teacher and anticipated graduate of the University of Utah, College of
Education. Throughout this year, I have served as her university supervisor during her student
teaching experience.

For her student teaching, Yessenia has taught in a fifth-grade classroom for the 2018-2019
academic year. During this time, she has demonstrated the ability to plan and execute lessons
that strategically consider the objective, student background knowledge, guided practice, and
assessments. As a professional, she also set her own instructional and relational goals each week
in the classroom through reflection and collaboration with her colleagues.

Throughout her student teaching, Yessenia has utilized her breadth of experience in community
work to inform her instruction and classroom community. She has been very thoughtful about
drawing on the background knowledge of the students she serves and building on that knowledge
to help students achieve academic and socioemotional goals. Through her strong relationships
and strategic planning, it is evident that Yessenia values students’ opinions, voices, and
experiences. Working with a culturally and linguistically diverse population, Yessenia often
models the use of academic language and provides scaffolded opportunities for students to
practice using higher level vocabulary as well. Of equal importance, she also provides detailed
guided modeling and ensures that all students receive the supports they need to understand a new
concept. She is an advocate through and through for the growth and well-being of all students.

Yessenia will be a great asset to your professional staff. She brings a sense of advocacy and a
spirit of genuine care that benefits the education of all students and communities. I fully
recommend Yessenia without hesitation for your school community.

Sincerely,

Sandra Leu Bonanno