1. To Whom It May Concern: June 2015
It is a privilege to write this letter of recommendation on behalf of Mrs. Melanie Ryan Sittler.
Mrs. Sittler is a twenty first century educational leader who understands the stresses placed on
schools today. What separates her from other educators is that she is not one to admire problems
but one who solves problems. She will bring unique and valuable skills and knowledge to the
leadership position. Her ability to analyze situations and think out of the box for solutions is one
of her many gifts. Her experience in education enables her to have access to resources that many
schools are unfamiliar with. Additionally, her in-depth understanding of the political arena in
education provides her with the ability to navigate that trail for the betterment of the school
district that she represents.
Another trait that she possesses is creating a vision of what the possibilities could be in the
learning process. She understands where education needs to go to reach the level of excellence
that we are pursuing with passion. Mrs. Sittler understands the importance of professional
development and its impact on enhance instructional practices and ultimately student success.
She is an outstanding presenter and will be an asset to any school district in further developing
the pedagogical skills of its experienced staff and the new staff being hired. As mentioned
above, she is a twenty first century educator who is knowledgeable of the needs of today’s digital
learner. She clearly sees value of curriculum which is rich in multi-media resources and a strong
integrated literacy component.
I consider Mrs. Sittler an expert at data decision making. She is familiar with the major data
systems that schools are using to develop academic student profiles. Because of her expertise,
she is able to guide the teachers in understanding the data information and moving to the next
level of utilizing the data to change instruction within each lesson to better meet the needs of
each student.
To expand on her contributions to the field of education, I will mention one of Sittler's
(published) successes which include the citing of her work in Pennsylvania's Phase 2 Race to the
Top application: During a single academic school year, Sittler served as a contracted
Mathematics and School Leadership Cluster Leader for an affiliate of the National Center on

2. Education and the Economy, called Americas Choice. Consequently, the eight (8) schools that
received on-site technical assistance in the areas of school leadership and mathematics from
Sittler; showed increases in student achievement at the Advanced level in mathematics that were
3.5 times greater than the school district as a whole. Additionally, it showed growth in
Proficiency in mathematics equal to 2-3 times greater than the remainder of the district. Students
posted percentage point reduction in Below Basic double the district reduction in Below Basic in
math. (Source: Pennsylvania Race to the Top, CFDA # 84.395A).
Mrs. Sittler manifests each and every day the passion for education and her profession. She
strives diligently to create opportunities and structures that will motivate and support teachers in
their daily endeavors of educating our young people to be able to compete in a global society and
ultimately become the leaders of that new world that awaits us all. I strongly and with passion
support Mrs. Sittler’s consideration for a leadership position in your organization. There is no
doubt that she will make your school system a model for others to emulate.
I thank you for your time and consideration in this important matter. If you have any questions,
please feel free to contact me at 717-432-3682.
Sincerely Yours;
Leonard R. Ference
Executive Director