Chris Sexton has asked for a letter of recommendation for a teaching position. The writer describes how Chris helped build the Outdoor Education program at their current school over four years. He organized trips that got students involved and took over as the director, establishing a reputable program. Students relate well to Chris and find him supportive. He also makes positive contributions to the school community through musical performances and encouraging environmental involvement. The writer strongly recommends Chris as an ethical, generous individual who will be an excellent teacher.

1. February 2, 2004
To Whom It May Concern,
Chris Sexton has asked that I write you in support of his application for a teaching
position in Upper School Mathematics. It is with great pleasure that I address this letter to you.
I met Chris four years ago when he joined the staff at The Archer School for Girls, a
small, private college preparatory school in Brentwood, California. I had accepted a position a
year earlier as a teacher of Biology and as the Director of Outdoor Education, and Chris’ addition
to Archer provided me with great expectations for an Outdoor Ed department that would create
challenging opportunities for the students. To this end, I had no idea just how significant his
contributions would be. Chris went to work immediately assembling small weekend trips to
Joshua Tree National Park, taking anywhere from five to a dozen students at a time. He worked
incredibly long hours to secure standards for these trips, eventually taking over as Director of
Outdoor Education in 2002 and laying the foundation of a program that has lasted in its original
format for four years. Due in large part to his efforts, Archer now boasts a reputable Outdoor
Education program combined with an avid Environmental Education component that all
students must pass in order to fulfill their graduation requirements. Without Chris, the structure
of this department would have taken significantly longer to assemble, and it is doubtful that it
would reflect the same ambitious nature it currently does.
As an individual, I am honored to consider Chris a true friend. He is a highly ethical,
moral, and generous individual, willing to give his time to whomever needs it. I have found him
to be an extremely trustworthy confidant in times of need and have been able to rely upon his
support in many of our attempts to create a department that has, at times, struggled with its
identity with respect to the school at large. Furthermore, he is an individual to whom the
students relate exceptionally well. His room is constantly filled during break and lunch time
with students engaged in both academic and extracurricular pursuits; they find him to be a
person around whom they are comfortable and secure; this quality in a teacher is rare and highly
valuable.
Lastly, Chris has chosen to make a maximum impact on this community in ways that are
difficult to relate on paper. Whether it be playing his guitar in front of the student body during
announcements, making students aware of ways in which they can become involved in their
community in order to support environmental action, or simply being a kind individual to lend
an objective ear, Chris has made an impression on this campus that will be impossible to replace.
It is with great pleasure that I recommend him to your school. He will be one of the finest
teachers you ever employ.
Sincerely,
Steve Hinkley
Department of Biology
The Archer School for Girls