Sole Mates

You know life sometimes brings you people who just make your life better. You can smile just because you know they are walking on the planet beside you. I have a bunch of those people. I saw one of them at one of the other one's homes last night where I was celebrating my Irish DNA with gelatin. Thanks Gram! I'm gonna send you a bag of "BEDadas".

Any way, I was telling my bright eyed friend about my job search and the awesome reference letter my friend Louise wrote for me (Thelma). Now this letter verges on the rhapsodic, which is how we are together, and I may well not ever be hired for any job I submit this to, because it's clear it was written my lovah. However, it is a master’s class on how to get remembered, or at least entertain beleaguered human resource managers. Bright Eyes said "You have got to post that thing on the blog!". So here it goes…Credit to Louise for the comic material and to Bright Eyes for the bright idea. Names changed to protect the giggling.

Mwa! to you both…




March 10, 2009

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing this letter to give my highest possible recommendation for Thelma. I first met Thelma when she became a paraprofessional in the Autism Program at Utopia High School in 2004, a program in which I co-taught. In this position, she became an important asset to our program and when a full-time teaching position in this program became available, she was a natural candidate.

Thelma proved to be exceptional in the administration of her duties as resource “teacher” for these challenging students. However, her true passion resided in the emotional and social development of these adolescents. Students, even students with disabilities, could sense the instinctive “counselor” in her. I can remember many days when our students (and general education students who came to know Ms. Thelma) were lined up at her desk waiting for a moment of her time and attention, in hopes of resolving some “personal crisis.”

I have seen her de-escalate potentially dangerous students with resolve and reflection, personality and precision, and at all times, with humor and “in heels.” She has dodged flying desks, physically restrained students who were a danger to themselves and others, and effectively removed students from the general education classroom without conflict or hesitation. Her patience and ability to work with all students, even students considered at-risk, mentally or emotionally handicapped or a behavior problem is boundless. Furthermore, Thelma has an uncanny ability to offer incomparable insight into the exact psychological motivations for a student’s behavioral manifestations (both academically and socially.)

In closing, I must mention Thelma character and work ethic, both of which are beyond reproach. Her professionalism in corresponding with parents and colleagues is exemplary and not restricted to the technological tools of the modern era. She is just as effective (maybe more so) at communicating face to face as she is on the phone or in an email. She is a tireless worker, often meeting with me in the hours before or after school to compare meeting notes or finalize an IEP. Her dedication to excellence in her performance is unwavering and she is not afraid to seek information or resources in her quest for quality.

It is with unbridled enthusiasm that I recommend Thelma for a counseling position at your school. You will not only gain a remarkable counselor, but an invaluable team member and a staunch advocate for both students and staff. Please contact me if you have any questions.


Sincerely,

Louise