OAK PARK AND RIVER FOREST HIGH SCHOOL201 NORTH SCOVILLE AVENUE · OAK PARK, IL 60302-2296

AREA (708) 383-0700 TTY/TDD (708) 434-3949 http://www.oprfhs.org FAX (708) 434-3910

April 1, 2013To whom it may concern:

It is my sincere pleasure to recommend Valerie Pelak for a teaching position at your high school. In August 2012, Valerie was hired the day before school began at Oak Park and River Forest High School to fill a one year position in the History Division. As a member of the hiring committee, I was immediately impressed by Valerie- she was professional, confident, prepared, and articulate in her interview and she asked the type of insightful question which indicated that she had done her research about the high school. Valerie was immediately notified that she had been hired. As her mentor, I have had the opportunity to truly get to know Valerie over the last eight months as a teacher and a colleague. I have observed her teaching, and have worked professionally with her as co-members of the Psychology Collaborative Learning Team and the Racial Equity Strand. Because of this close association with Valerie, I feel qualified to comment on her as a potential candidate in your school- she is an outstanding educator and would be a valuable asset to your teaching staff.

From her first day in the building, Valerie demonstrated resilience and flexibility. She stepped into a schedule which included four different course preparations, Advance Placement Psychology, Introduction to Psychology, Social Problems, and Human Behavior. There is no set curriculum for three of the courses and no textbooks for the last two courses. Without hesitation, Valerie rose to the challenge. She determined the learning objectives of each course, planned her curriculum, and then created her units and assessments. I should note that she teaches students from the full spectrum of ability levels in her classes that require her to greatly differentiate her teaching and to be very sensitive to the social and emotional needs of her students. Within a day, she transformed her classroom into a vibrant and exciting learning environment that gave her students the immediate impression that wonderful things were going to happen there.

Every day, Valerie gives her all to her students. In addition to devising relevant and meaningful lessons and activities for each of her classes, she invites students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills through a variety of creative alternative assessments and projects. Valerie respects her students and is determined to bring out their best effort and they know it. Valerie has a terrific sense of humor and gentle wit that makes students look forward to her classes and actively participate in discussions. It is no wonder why Valerie’s students greatly admire her and that her room is always full of students eager to talk with her and seek her advice. They know she truly cares about them as individuals and believes in their ability to achieve. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Valerie embraced being an OPRFHS Huskie. She is one of the most school-spirited teachers in the division and frequently attends school events to support her students in their extra-curricular activities. She volunteered to be the sponsor of Debate Club which she hosts after school in her classroom and she also assists me with Psychology Club. She is the ideal colleague!

Unfortunately, with two teachers on leave returning next school year, Valerie’s contract was not renewed. She is an innovative educator, a natural leader, amazing resourceful, thoughtful and compassionate listener, a role model for resilience, and a true inspiration as a person. I give Valerie Pelak my highest recommendation for a teaching position at your high school- she is wonderful!

If I can provide any additional information or insights to support Valerie in her application for a position in your school, please contact me at anorth@oprfhs.org or (847)606-0741.

Sincerely,Anita North HamillHistory Division Teacher Oak Park and River Forest High School