Recommendation from Vincent Hyland, Librarian

1. Boerum Hill School for International Studies NICOLE LANZILLOTTO, PRINCIPAL
284 Baltic Street T - 718-330-9390
Brooklyn, NY 11201 F - 718-875-7522
22 April 2020
To Whom It May Concern:
In the four years that Hannah Ticoras has worked in our community I have
worked closely alongside her. I have worked with her as a co-teacher, and as a member
of the English department she now chairs. Additionally, we designed and oversee the
school’s Independent Reading program and Family Academy workshop series – both of
which are products of BHS’ relationship with MSQI, which Ms. Ticoras coordinates. She
is an invaluable and irreplaceable member of our community.
Hannah volunteered her classroom as the pilot for IR at BHS, and she faced the
messy process of developing a new program with the mind and spirit of an inquirer. She
observed the process, collected the necessary data, and was able to implement
changes that improved the systems and the outcomes. Her work built the model on
which all IR classes are now based. And she continues to facilitate the periodic
assessment that tracks students’ reading progress.
Few people in our community maintain the kind of genuine and deep
relationships that Hannah does. Besides the incredible intellect that she pours into her
planning, and her encyclopedic knowledge of young-adult literature, it is these
relationships that make her class one in which students feel safe, seen and heard. It is a
place where they are comfortable enough to learn. Many teachers could spend their
whole careers struggling to do this, but it has always been Hannah’s strength.
These relationships also extend to her co-workers. As the chair of the English
Department, Hannah holds space for one of the largest groups, and one with many,
often disparate, opinions. She nonetheless is able to synthesize these ideas into a
coherent direction for the department and to achieve its goals. Her voice is one that is
insightful on the faculty cabinet, and her input is rooted in her commitment to the values
of our school and a commitment to education.
For all of these reasons and many more, I heartily recommend Hannah Ticoras
for tenure in the New York City Department of Education.
Sincerely,
Vincent T. Hyland
Librarian