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Arborwood Elementary Campus

1008/1035 North Riverview


Monroe, Michigan 48162
734-265-3800/4500

Developing Learners and Leaders for the 21st Century


To Whom It May Concern:
The Arborwood Elementary Campus has had the privilege of having Ms. Alysha Bossie as a student
teacher in one of our third grade classrooms during the Fall of 2012. As the assistant principal at
Arborwood, it has been such a pleasure to watch Alysha grow in her understanding of best practice
instruction, develop a confidence in her teaching work with children, and create meaningful
relationships with her students.
On November 26th, I had the opportunity of observing Alysha teach a Word Study lesson, and begin a
Reader's Workshop lesson. As students worked through the Word Study lesson, it was evident that she
understood the importance of establishing and maintaining procedures and expectations. Because the
children all knew the procedure for what "Day 1" of Word Study looked like, they were able to focus on
the learning at hand and the patterns in the words they were studying. Time did not need to be spent
explaining to students the "what to do's" of the lesson; instead, students' time was spent analyzing,
questioning and exploring the relationships between and within words.
Alysha's Reader's Workshop lesson showcased her strong understanding of howto use the workshop
model as an instructional framework. The children were each given a newspaper to explore for
evidence of non-fiction text features. Anchor charts were hung in the classroom that highlighted all that
the class had discovered about non-fiction text features. Students were very capable of noticing,
naming and explaining these text features as they examined the newspapers.
Throughout her teaching, Alysha asked questions that nudged children to think at higher levels (What
pattern did you notice? What else do you see? Will that always work? What do you know that will help
you?). She understands how important it is to let students be responsible for their learning, to construct
their own understandings in ways that make sense to them, and to let them feel the success that comes
with meaningful learning.
Alysha demonstrates strong confidence in her work with children. She is always very calm, firm and
caring. There is mutual respect between Alysha and her students. She knows how important it is to get
to know who her students are as young people who have strengths, interests and hopes that make them
unique as learners.
A final trait about Alysha that I admire is her willingness to learn and her continuous desire to improve
her teaching. At her request, the above observation was unplanned, and I came in unanncounced.
Alysha's main purpose for having me come in and observe was so that she could receive feedback about
how to better her teaching. Alysha is a professional in every sense. I have enjoyed watching her grow
into a wonderful teacher during her short time at Arborwood. I have every confidence that she will
continue in her own learning and understanding of best practice instruction, and will make it her careerlong goal to search for the best ways to meet the individual needs of all of her students.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Terry Joseph
Assistant Principal, Arborwood Elementary Campus

Arborwood Elementary Campus


1008/1035 North Riverview
Monroe, Michigan 48162
734-265-3800/4500

Developing Learners and Leaders for the 21st Century


To Whom It May Concern:
The Arborwood Elementary Campus has had the privilege of having Ms. Alysha Bossie as a student
teacher in one of our third grade classrooms during the Fall of 2012. As the assistant principal at
Arborwood, it has been such a pleasure to watch Alysha grow in her understanding of best practice
instruction, develop a confidence in her teaching work with children, and create meaningful
relationships with her students.
On November 26th, I had the opportunity of observing Alysha teach a Word Study lesson, and begin a
Reader's Workshop lesson. As students worked through the Word Study lesson, it was evident that she
understood the importance of establishing and maintaining procedures and expectations. Because the
children all knew the procedure for what "Day 1" of Word Study looked like, they were able to focus on
the learning at hand and the patterns in the words they were studying. Time did not need to be spent
explaining to students the "what to do's" of the lesson; instead, students' time was spent analyzing,
questioning and exploring the relationships between and within words.
Alysha's Reader's Workshop lesson showcased her strong understanding of howto use the workshop
model as an instructional framework. The children were each given a newspaper to explore for
evidence of non-fiction text features. Anchor charts were hung in the classroom that highlighted all that
the class had discovered about non-fiction text features. Students were very capable of noticing,
naming and explaining these text features as they examined the newspapers.
Throughout her teaching, Alysha asked questions that nudged children to think at higher levels (What
pattern did you notice? What else do you see? Will that always work? What do you know that will help
you?). She understands how important it is to let students be responsible for their learning, to construct
their own understandings in ways that make sense to them, and to let them feel the success that comes
with meaningful learning.
Alysha demonstrates strong confidence in her work with children. She is always very calm, firm and
caring. There is mutual respect between Alysha and her students. She knows how important it is to get
to know who her students are as young people who have strengths, interests and hopes that make them
unique as learners.
A final trait about Alysha that I admire is her willingness to learn and her continuous desire to improve
her teaching. At her request, the above observation was unplanned, and I came in unanncounced.
Alysha's main purpose for having me come in and observe was so that she could receive feedback about
how to better her teaching. Alysha is a professional in every sense. I have enjoyed watching her grow
into a wonderful teacher during her short time at Arborwood. I have every confidence that she will
continue in her own learning and understanding of best practice instruction, and will make it her careerlong goal to search for the best ways to meet the individual needs of all of her students.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Terry Joseph
Assistant Principal, Arborwood Elementary Campus

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