1. Superintendent
Dr. Jim Welker
Assistant
Superintendent
Dr. Sherry Copeland
Assistant
Superintendent
Neil Glass
Director of
Special Services
Deena Ring
CAPE GIRARDEAU PUBLIC SCHOOLSCAPE GIRARDEAU PUBLIC SCHOOLS
301 North Clark Avenue · Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63701
www.cape.k12.mo.us Phone (573) 335-1867 · Fax (573) 335-1820
Dear Search Committee,
This letter serves as a formal recommendation for Dr. Rhonda Dunham for an administrative
position in your district. Dr. Dunham serves as the building principal at Franklin Elementary
(PK-4) in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. I am the Assistant Superintendent for Academic Services
and am the immediate supervisor for all administrators in Cape Girardeau Public Schools.
Our district is completing a 3-year training for Professional Learning Communities. Dr.
Dunham has participated in all trainings and serves on the District and Building Leadership
Teams for PLC. She has also had extensive training in PBIS and her building has been
recognized for the high level of implementation of this program. Dr. Dunham has exceptional
knowledge, skills, and commitment to teacher professional development and student learning.
She understands every aspect of hiring great teachers, evaluating their performance, and helping
them become the best they can be. We are currently being training by Mike Rutherford in
Skillful Observations and Authentic Feedback. Her work in professional development has
refined her abilities to collaborate with teachers in information gathering, use data to inform
decision-making, and provide the leadership to solve problems and address needs.
Rhonda has the communication skills necessary to be able to access and fulfill her building’s
needs. Rhonda has the knowledge, experience, and certifications needed to be an outstanding
administrator in your district.
Rhonda is the type of person you can count on to remain calm, think clearly, and keep the needs
of the students, teachers, and staff at the highest priority. She also understands the importance
of building and maintaining positive relationships with parents, community members, school
board members, and Central Office.
It is without reservation that I highly recommend Dr. Rhonda Dunham for an administrative
position in your district. I would be happy to further discuss Rhonda’s attributes and skills.
Sincerely,
Sherry L. Copeland, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent
Cape Girardeau Public Schools
copelands@capetigers.com