Mr. Wheeler is a dedicated and passionate middle school drama teacher. He gently guides his students of varying maturity levels and encourages them to perform their own written skits. While some students are ambitious and interested in learning about stage presence, Mr. Wheeler addresses negative behaviors immediately, even making parent phone calls. He sets a positive example by integrating past drama knowledge with current topics. Mr. Wheeler is always courteous but stern when students intentionally disrupt class, ensuring a safe learning environment. He demonstrates patience and engages students to make learning fun in a clean classroom.

1. CHARACTER REFERENCE
For
MR. JOSEPH WHEELER
December2016
I’mBarbara McKinney,a10+ yearemployeewithORA. I’ve workedinclose proximitywithyourMiddle
School Drama Teacher, Mr. Wheeler,since hisemployment. This school year,I’mworkingasa Para-
Educator. I‘min Mr. Wheeler’sDramaclassroomdailyworking, withthose studentsatgrade levels,6,
7, and 8, all mixedtogetherinone classroom. The differentmaturitylevels maypresentsome
challenges.
Mr. Wheeleriscommitted,loyal anddevotedto all of hisstudents. Because he issoverypassionate
abouthis fieldof study, he gentlyguidestheirmannerof speech,nudgesthemintoperformingtheir
ownwrittenshortskits,andevenmodelsthe intonationsthe studentsshouldbe using. The students
are growing;some are ambitiousanddesire tolearnaboutstage presence andvoice diction,thanksto
Mr. Wheeler’sclassroompresentations. He isconsiderate of all of the student’sbehavioral issues,
regardlessof theirgrade levels. He addressesthe negativebehaviorimmediately,evenif thatmeansa
phone call home to the parent. Atothertimes,the BehaviorSpecialistmaybe called.
The studentsare alwayscuriousabout Mr. Wheeler’srolesinandoff Broadway. He setsthe example of
whatDrama isall about byintegratingthe pastwiththe currentinto the classroom. He expectsthe
studentstofollowsimple instructions - he doesn’tyell overthem.Manytimes,he hasto repeat
instructionsseveraltimes,asall teachers do,to insure learningistakingplace.
At all times, Mr.Wheeleriscourteousandpolite. Of course, some of the studentsmaytry to take
advantage of this. He is sternin the caseswhenthe studentsintentionallydecide todisruptthe learning
environment….that’spartof hisjob. If a studentchoosestoboldlyexitthe classroomwithout
permission,orto otherwise cause unsafeconditions, Mr. Wheelerimmediatelycalls someonein
authority to apprise themof thatstudent’sbehavior andof the situation.
Mr. Wheelerisverypatient andlevel-headed.He hasdemonstratedthistime andagain. He engages
withthe students tomake learningfunandina cleanandsafe classroom.
He isindeedone of the mostcapable,hard-workingandprofessional educatorsI’mproudto know.
Educationally,
Barbara McKinney

2. ORAMS 313-653-3888