Katie Lehman has demonstrated strong teaching skills in her clinical placements. As a student teacher at Kingston Elementary School, she effectively planned and taught lessons and took on leadership roles. She now student teaches at Prairie Children's Preschool, where she creates a positive learning environment and uses developmentally effective teaching strategies. Her supervisor notes that Ms. Lehman is always well organized and prepared. She has also shown a strong understanding of the edTPA assessment required for graduation. The supervisor believes Ms. Lehman has a bright future in education due to her work ethic, skills, and determination to excel.

1. February 28, 2016
To Whom It May Concern,
I have been acquainted with Katie Lehman since August of 2015 as her Clinical Supervisor from
Northern Illinois University. She was placed in a third grade classroomfor her primary clinical
experience at Kingston Elementary School in Kingston Illinois with Nancee Demings. She was
given many opportunities to plan and teach lessons in this setting which she did so effectively
with excellent engagement and outcomes. It was clear that she was comfortable and trusted
by her cooperating teacher to take on a leadership role early in her time with this group of
students. Ms. Lehman left this placement with a solid understanding of third grade curriculum,
strategies and materials to use in the future.
Ms. Lehman is presently student teaching at Prairie Children’s Preschool in Indian Prairie School
District 204 with Cyndi Rice, a wonderful veteran teacher in this excellent preschool program.
She has been observed teaching both large group and small group lessons always creating a
positive learning environment. Ms. Lehman uses developmentally effective approaches
drawing from a continuum of teaching strategies. She observes, documents and assesses
children’s learning to plan for future lessons. She asks open ended questions giving positive
feedback both verbally and nonverbally. Behavior expectations are explained ahead of time
with good follow through as needed.
Ms. Lehman has always been very organized and well prepared in every setting and I look
forward to this continuing as I follow her to her primary student teaching placement next
quarter. As a teacher candidate, she is required to complete the comprehensive edTPA
assessment in order to graduate and be licensed. Ms. Lehman has stood out amongst her peers
as having an excellent grasp on this huge project asking questions that show she has read and
tried to understand what needs to be done with minimal guidance. She went into her first
placement knowing what was necessary and should do well on this new state requirement. I
look forward to spending the next ten weeks with Ms. Lehman as she continues her final phase
of becoming an early childhood teacher. I believe that with her excellent work ethic, solid skills
and determination to excel she has a bright future in education. I can be reached at 630-947-
3913 or btruels@niu.edu for further information.
Sincerely,
Barbara J. Truels
NIU Clinical Supervisor for Special and Early Education