Erin Coffey is a student completing her MA in Art Education with K-12 certification from Kean University. She has excelled in a rigorous curriculum integrating studio work, methods classes, internships, and academic writing. She demonstrates advanced conceptual thinking skills needed for graduate-level work, and reflects deeply on issues surrounding art education in various school settings. Erin also served as a graduate assistant in the university galleries, taking on additional responsibilities with professionalism when needed. The program director recommends Erin as an exceptionally qualified candidate for the field of art education based on her strong teaching skills, work ethic, and desire to enrich students' lives through art.

1. KEAN UNIVERSITY
Art Education Program
College of Visual and Performing Arts
Vaughn-Eames Hall, 4th Floor
1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
April 1, 2016
Dear Administrator,
I am writingthisletteronbehalf of Ms. Erin Coffey,astudentpresentlycompletingour MA inArt
EducationwithK-12 Art TeachingCertification. Ms. Coffey hasconsistently, enthusiasticallyandvery
successfullyengagedinanextremelyrigorousandintellectuallychallengingcurriculumwhichintegrated
studiowork,universitymethodsclasses,fieldinternships,andacademicwriting. She earnestlymet
specificcriteriawhichrequireddeepenedlevelsof thinking,writing,andteachingwhichintegrate the
psychological developmentof childrenandadolescentswithartisticlearning.
Erin demonstrates aremarkable capacitytoengage in advancedforms of conceptual thinking as
neededonthe graduate level,specifically aboutthe complex issuesthatsurroundthe teachingof art.
She reflectsuponthe implicationsof variablesonthe educationalsituationinbothurbanandsuburban
school settings. Herwritingskillsare nicelyhonedandsuggest continueddevelopmentandthe
potential foreventualpublication. Further,she hasalways contributedeagerlyandmeaningfullyto
course discussions. Herlessonplansare highlystructured,well-developed,addressstandards,andallow
for explorationandpersonal meaningmakingonthe partof students. Herassessmentof teachingand
learningsare systematic,cogent,andengenderconfidence intheir validity.Herapplicationsto actual
teachingpracticeswithinthe field fieldare strongandcogent,asindicatedby our supervisor’s
evaluations. Erinhasalwaysbeensupportiveof the learningof herpeers,andnotably,herwritten
lessonplanshave beendistributedasexemplarswithinourmethodscourses.
It isof significance tonote thatErin was awardedthe positionof Graduate Assistantinour
UniversityGalleries,acoveted andchallengingpositionthatshe metwithgreatorganizational skillsand
remarkable dexterity. She wasable toadroitlymanage thisdemandingpositionwhile simultaneously
upholdingthe highqualityof herscholarshipin course andfieldwork. Erindemonstratedgreat
professionalismandresourcefulness,especiallyatone pointinwhichasecondgraduate assistant
withdrewfrom herposition,leavingherto undertake the workof twoindividuals. Inkeepingwithher
usual workethic,Erindidso withoutcomplaint,while maintainingapositivedemeanor.
Erin isa very mature,respectful andcooperative individual. She hasthe capacityto functionwell in
a varietyof educational situations. She exhibitssensitivityto the needsof othersandindicatesasincere
desire toenrichthe livesof childrenandadolescentsthroughherworkinarteducation. Ms. Coffey
entersthe educational arenawith exceptional qualitiesanditismy pleasure torecommend this
exceptionallyfinecandidate tothe fieldof ArtEducation.
Respectfully,
Dr. JosephS.Amorino
Art EducationProgramDirector