1. June 1, 2015
My name is Theresa Pfister and I am a parent at Alcott College Prep. My daughter, Aanika, has had the good
fortune to have been taught by Elena Turczeniuk Nagy for literacy and social studies classes. As a former
teacher, I have been amazed at how “Ms. Elena” has sparked my daughter’s interest in both words and the
world around her. Ms. Elena’s creative yet rigorous instruction style has helped my daughter feel a greater
sense of mastery of her classes’ topics as well as an important sense of responsibility for her own learning.
Aanika arrived at Alcott College Prep in the fourth grade. She had come from a school that did not have the
same emphasis on reading and writing that the students at Alcott enjoy. As a result, my daughter found herself
daunted at times with assigned tasks that she feared were more advanced than her previous experiences. Ms.
Elena got Aanika up to speed by teaching her important close reading and context clue techniques that
assured Aanika’s understanding of classroom texts. Ms. Elena offered interesting writing and peer-reviewed
assignments that helped students learn from each other and gain confidence in their ability to engage the
written word. It is because of Ms. Elena’s instruction, what I like to think of as her “nurturing but no-excuses”
approach that Aanika now greets reading and writing assignments enthusiastically.
In social studies, Ms. Elena uses a variety of techniques that give all students a chance to be involved and
engaged in the classroom. For example, Ms. Elena’s use of plays and debates to explore history are welcome
tools to make the study of the subject less tedious. In preparation for debates, for example, students are
required to call upon higher-order thinking skills such as critical analysis and creativity, in order to research,
understand and present a point of view effectively. In a recent debate about the War of Independence, Aanika
delved into a variety of historical resources to understand more about Thomas Paine specifically and the
circumstances that led to the war generally. She called upon the foundation of strong writing and reading
standards that Ms. Elena established in the fourth grade to now easily research and understand this important
historical topic.
I have been very happy to have Ms. Elena as a partner in my daughter’s education.
Sincerely,
Theresa Pfister
May 31, 2015
Hello Ms,Elena Turczeniuk Nagy How are you doing? I'm Lan Duong John Ngo's Mother, thanks very much for
the email. John has been so lucky to have you since 4th grade, you are such a lovely teacher, he said he learn
a lot of good things from you ,you are so wonderful a teacher I do not have the word the say enough to you,
time flies, the year almost over, next year John is 8th grade I'm so proud of him. He is trying so hard to gets
the best if he would, and he did, we are so appreciate. Thank you so very much Ms. Elena.
Sincerely.
Lan Duong.
June 1, 2015
Hello Ms Elena,
As the school year comes to a close, I wanted to reach out to express my thanks for the instruction and
guidance you've provided to Evy, this year and in previous years. She has blossomed into a wonderful writer
who is able to take her thoughts and put them on paper in the most engaging way. As you know she can be a
shy and quiet kid, but has learned to really express herself and convey her thoughts through writing.
Additionally, with the foundation you provided during 4th grade, Evy has been able excel in many of her classes
this year, from Science to Social Studies. Writing a research paper or a current event paper does not phase
her. She often pulls from the things you taught her in 4th grade as a reference. You are an invaluable resource
for Alcott.
Thank you and if I don't get a chance to see you in the halls before June 19th, have a wonderful summer.
Donna Cimino Schober

2. May 29, 2015
Elena Turczeniuk, is one of the most exceptional teachers in our Alcott experience. Not only did she care about
learning, she had an individual approach for every child. She finds a way to get their attention through
understanding exactly what interests them. Alex was very young when she was his classroom teacher, he was
still learning about proper behavior in class, as well as the art of forming relationships with his peers. He does
not have siblings, so sharing and collaborating was a new concept to him. Elena took the time to guide him
though these steps. She managed to shape him into a very good and confident student. Alex still gets straight
A's and I attribute a lot of his current success to the solid base, she had provided.
I was most impressed that Alex was conscious about not disappointing her, instead of being afraid of
punishment. Elena has all the characteristics of a perfect teacher; she is calm, patient and determined to get
every student to do their best.
I mean it from the heart... :)
Maria Dubov
Founder, MMD Services Inc.
200 South Wacker Drive, Suite 3100
Chicago, IL 60606
http://www.mmdtech.com

3. Comcast May 29 (3 days ago)
to me
Alexander enjoys your class and is very happy to have you as a teacher. He has learned a lot about literacy
and has learned to appreciate social studies. There is never a complaint about the class. He is always eager to
learn.
Thank you,
Cecy Alvarenga