1. Aurora Frontier K-8
3200 S. Jericho Way
Aurora, CO 80013
303-693-1995
June 3, 2015
To Members of the Interview Committee,
I am writing this letter to give full recommendation to Mr. Ken Lessard. Ken is student teaching Physical
Education with me at Aurora Frontier K-8 and has been here for several months. It is a privilege to have him at
our school during his Metropolitan State University teacher candidate placement as he is extremely professional,
creates solid relationships, and is continously learning and refining his craft as an educator.
Ken is very dedicated to his profession. He is passionate, enthusiastic, and holds himself to high professional
standards. He is always early to work, spends his time on task, reaches out to help other staff, stays late to finish
projects and work, and makes sure his time at school is used efficiently and wisely. His focus is on planning for
instruction, student learning, and achievement for all. His pedagogy is rooted in best practices, quality planning
using standards, flexibility, differentiation, reflection, and a deep understanding of his students and their
individual needs. Students do the work, the thinking, the learning, and he facilitates this in every teaching
opportunity whether in class, at afterschool practices, or in the hallways. He is always seeking to better his
practice through inquiry, research, professional development opportunities, and reflection.
Ken is not just a guest, but is making sure he is an active member of Aurora Frontier. He understands that via
effective relationships with his cooperating teacher, staff, students, parents, and community teaching becomes
elevated. As a new teacher, Ken strives to understand students and their unique needs, challenges, and is a
constant support to them not just as a PE teacher, but as a trusted, consistent adult. Ken has established
relationships with both middle school students all the way down to our Kindergarteners. They value his expertise,
enjoy his outgoing personality, and choose to interact postively with him. Our entire school community benefits
from having Ken as a member of Aurora Frontier K-8.
In conclusion, Ken is always willing to take on new learning to refine his craft, making him an even more
effective Physical Education teacher. Ken reflects and revises his lessons, planning, learning targets, and
assessments based on student needs and understanding. He incorporates many resources into PE including
technology, facilitation, project-based learning, inquiry, and creates a safe environment for all students to learn,
grow, and achieve. It has been an honor and priviledge to work side-by-side with the best teacher candidate I
could imagine. It is for these reasons I give a full recommendation for Mr. Ken Lessard.
Please contact me at Aurora Frontier K-8, 303-693-1995, if you need any further information.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Ebbe Handy
“Paving the Road to College… Every Aurora Frontier Student Proficient or beyond by 8th
Grade”