Mikel Lataburu is recommended for his excellent work as a Spanish teacher and head of the Modern Languages Department at the American International School of Lusaka. Over two years, he taught Spanish to grades 8-12 and oversaw curriculum, instruction, and professional development for the department. He designed engaging lesson plans using various methodologies and stretched but supported students to improve. As department head, he formalized the curriculum and ensured alignment with IB philosophies. The principal urges consideration of Mikel for any language or department head position due to his dedication and the strength he brought to the school's program.

1. 487A/F/3 Leopards Hill Rd.
P.O. Box 320167
Lusaka, Zambia
Tel: +260 211 260506/10
Fax: +260 211 260538
www.aislusaka.org
ais@aislusaka.org
American International School Lusaka
June
3,
2016
To
Whom
It
May
Concern:
It
is
a
pleasure
to
recommend
Mikel
Lataburu.
He
is
an
excellent
educator
and
is
a
valuable
member
of
my
faculty.
I
have
been
his
direct
supervisor
at
the
American
International
School
of
Lusaka
for
two
years,
since
August
2014.
His
teaching
assignments
have
included
Spanish
for
Grades
8-­‐12,
including
International
Baccalaureate
(IB)
Diploma
Spanish
B
and
Spanish
ab
initio.
He
is
a
passionate
practitioner
of
both
the
IB
Diploma
and
Middle
Years
Programs.
He
also
served
as
the
Head
of
the
Modern
Languages
Department
and
effectively
oversaw
the
curriculum,
instruction,
and
professional
development
of
the
five
other
Spanish
and
French
teachers
in
that
department.
Mikel’s
classroom
is
a
place
of
inquiry,
discussion,
and
high
standards.
His
lesson
plans
are
well
designed
and
include
a
variety
of
methodologies
in
order
to
capture
and
maintain
student
engagement.
His
commitment
to
student
learning
helps
to
drive
the
class
forward
and
his
students
are
focused
and
interested
in
learning.
Mikel’s
students
know
that
they
will
be
stretched
but
that
he
will
offer
the
support
they
need
to
improve
their
Spanish
skills.
Mikel’s
broad
pedagogical
knowledge
and
keen
mind
make
him
a
valuable
contributor
to
the
faculty.
His
suggestions
are
always
carefully
considered,
principled,
and
have
student
learning
at
heart.
He
has
worked
diligently
with
his
department
to
formalize
our
written
curriculum,
ensure
that
it
is
aligned
with
the
IB’s
philosophies
and
practices,
and
to
document
it
on
ManageBac.
He
has
also
brought
a
high
level
of
organization
to
the
placement
of
new
students
into
the
correct
levels
of
their
chosen
language.
In
short,
Mikel
Lataburu
is
an
outstanding
teacher
and
has
been
a
valued
member
of
my
faculty.
I
am
sad
to
see
him
leave
and
will
miss
his
dedication
and
professionalism.
This
school’s
Modern
Language
Department
is
much
stronger
due
to
his
efforts
over
the
last
two
years.
I
urge
you
to
consider
his
candidacy
for
any
language
teaching
or
department
head
position;
he
will
be
an
asset
to
any
institution.
Sincerely,
Russ
Menard
Principal
of
the
Secondary
School