1. August 18, 2005
To Whom It May Concern:
For the past three years, I have had the great pleasure of working with Noah Maximov who has
taught 9th & 10th grade English, as well as social studies and digital editing, to high school
students in Sonoma State University's PreCollege Programs. Our program serves low-income and
first-generation-college students from thirteen different high schools throughout Sonoma County.
During the summer, we offer an intensive academic program here at Sonoma State University to
prepare our students for their fall coursework; then during the school year we offer Saturday
enrichment classes, workshops, and field trips to our students.
Mr. Maximov is best known for his ability to connect with our students and to teach them to write
persuasive essays. Each time I have observed one of Noah’s classes, he has effectively engaged his
students in class discussions, encouraging them to think critically and to support their arguments
with specific examples from their reading, research, and personal experience. Mr. Maximov then
helps his students translate their verbal arguments into well-organized, convincing essays.
Evidently, Mr. Maximov’s students recognize and appreciate all that they have learned from him,
as they recently voted him “one of the best instructors [they] currently have or have had with
PreCollege Programs.” I myself have been so impressed with Noah’s ability to teach the
fundamentals of writing that I hired him to tutor my 12-year-old son in English grammar and
composition. My son echoed our PreCollege Programs students’ sentiments, saying that it would
be worth transferring schools to have Mr. Maximov as an English teacher.
In sum, Mr. Maximov earns my highest recommendation as a secondary school teacher or tutor. If
you would like to discuss his qualifications with me further, please do not hesitate to call me at
(707) 664-3909.
Sincerely,
Amy S. Tompkins
Curriculum & Instruction Coordinator
Sonoma State University’s PreCollege Programs