1. A L I S O N A S T U R I A S K E L L Y
E D U C A T I O N A L C O N S U L T A N T
5 - 2 1 C A L L E M O N T E R E Y – P A N A J A C H E L , G U A T E M A L A
5 1 0 . 2 3 2 - 6 7 0 3 A L I S O N A K E L L Y @ A O L . C O M
November 28, 2011
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing this letter on behalf of Sierra Toppel with whom I had the pleasure of working with for
almost 2 years. When we first met, Sierra was working as a classroom teacher at the Atitlan
Multicultural Academy while I served as the Co-director of a neighboring school, Colegio PanaKids.
The teachers at both schools formed a collaborative alliance and worked closely together. What
impressed me most about Sierra was her enthusiasm and creativity in the classroom. She had a
genuine love for teaching and working with children.
Sierra is a dedicated individual with many valuable assets. She’s a team player who’s willing to share
her ideas and seek help when needed. She is articulate and respectful to both children and adults.
Sierra works well with parents, staff, and her students. She is well-liked by everyone.
Following Sierra’s job at AMA, she became my favorite substitute teacher. I knew I could rely on
Sierra to cover my classes for children ages 5-7. She sets firm limits with compassion. She activates
their curiosity and love for learning. And, she encourages children to use critical thinking skills when
solving problems. My students always benefit when Sierra teaches my classes.
Outside the classroom, I discovered Sierra had a special talent for cooking and leading a healthy
lifestyle. She enjoys exploring new recipes, spending time with family and friends, and staying
physically active. She has served as a positive role model to my own children, ages 5 & 7. My
children respect and adore Sierra. My youngest loves to be pampered with nail polish and hair styles.
Whereas, my older child enjoys playing sports and swimming as much as possible. I often call Sierra
to watch my children or take them on a local adventure while I catch my breath.
Sierra is a natural leader and knows how to take initiative. She’s both intuitive and reflective. If
something needs to be improved, she’s willing to dedicate time and energy to make any situation
better. I found this to be true in a number of difficult situations in which problems arose at work and
in the community. Sierra is an innovative problem solver. She’s not intimidated by conflict, no matter
how challenging.
I highly recommend Sierra for a position where she’s working with children and their families. She
would make a positive addition to any professional team and/or family. Please feel free to contact me
for additional information.
Sincerely,
Alison A. Kelly