Mrs. Carrion-Kozak was Morgan VandeRiet's Spanish teacher for two years of middle school. She taught Spanish in a way that clicked with Morgan and her classmates, helping them learn more in those two years than in the previous seven years combined. Mrs. Carrion-Kozak made the curriculum enjoyable while also immersing students in Spanish-speaking cultures through projects. Thanks to her teaching, Morgan tested into an honors Spanish class in high school that was not challenging enough, showing that Mrs. Carrion-Kozak had set a high standard and prepared her students well. Morgan credits Mrs. Carrion-Kozak with sparking her passion for learning Spanish.

1. February 21, 2015
To whom it may concern,
I am writing on behalf of Mrs. Maria Carrion-Kozak. Mrs. Carrion-Kozak was my
Spanish teacher for two years of my middle school career at Highline Academy Charter School.
The two years she taught me, I learned more Spanish than I had in the seven years prior. Her
teaching style clicked with me and many of my classmates.
Learning Spanish has always been important to me, and Mrs. Carrion-Kozak seemed to
know the best ways to support me. It was important to her that her students were immersed in the
cultures of Spanish-speaking countries. It was very helpful that she made the curriculum
enjoyable. We often did projects in Spanish about countries, food, culture, etc., that helped us
expand our Spanish-speaking skills as well as our knowledge and importance of global culture.
I have recently learned that when compared to other middle schools in the Denver area,
Mrs. Carrion-Kozak’s curriculum was much more difficult. I am currently a sophomore at
Thomas Jefferson High School. My freshman year, upon Mrs. Carrion-Kozak’s suggestion, I was
put into Spanish 3 Honors, which was not a freshman level class. To my surprise, that class was
quite easy. At the beginning of my sophomore year, I was put into Spanish 4 Honors which was
not challenging enough. Then at the beginning of this current semester, I chose to switch to
Spanish Heritage Speakers Honors, which has been the most appropriate environment for
progressing my Spanish.
Thanks to Mrs. Carrion-Kozak, I have a passion for learning Spanish. She is a wonderful
person and one of the best teachers I have had. She has been so helpful with my education and I
know that she will make the same impact on countless other students.
Best,
Morgan VandeRiet
morgan.vanderiet@gmail.com