Thomas A.

Krainz

November 2, 2017

Dear Search Committee,

I am happy to strongly recommend Courtney Byczynski for a teaching position at your school. I have
known Courtney since August 2015 in two very different capacities. I first met Courtney when she
became a Student Assistant for the Department of History. Then during the winter 2017 quarter
Courtney enrolled in my upper-division history class. In both capacities, Courtney excelled. She is
mature well beyond her years, conscientious of others, a diligent worker, and an outstanding student.
Courtney clearly possesses all the core characteristics that one would desire in a teacher.

Courtneys performance as a Student Assistant was consistently excellent. The job as a Student
Assistant is not an easy position due to the wide variety of responsibilities and the diverse set of
personalities among the faculty. Not only did Courtney always complete assigned tasks in a timely
manner but she did so with careful attention to details. She deftly responded to all faculty in a
respectful and helpful manner. One of Courtneys main duties was to assist with organizing the
departments annual Student History Conference which brings together students, parents, faculty,
and an outside speaker for an all-day showcase of student presentations. Courtneys role in the
conference was key to its success.

Courtney also excelled in an academic setting. She took my Emergence of Modern America, 1877
1914 course covering the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era. The class used a mixture of both
secondary and primary sources to examine the rapid changes that America underwent using the lens
of region, social-economic class, ethnicity/race, gender, and religion. Courtneys papers and essay
exams were superior. She succeeded in writing analytical papers and exams that created complex
arguments supported by relevant examples. Her participation in class discussions demonstrated
careful thinking. As a reflection of her outstanding work, Courtney earned an A in the class, a
grade that is very difficult to earn in my courses.
Courtneys maturity combined with her strong academic performance and excellent work ethic
makes her an ideal candidate for your school. I highly recommend Courtney Byczynski. If you have
any additional questions, please contact me at (773) 325-1789 or tkrainz@depaul.edu.

Sincerely,

Thomas Krainz
Associate Professor of History
DePaul University