Lucy Dawson has been an integral part of the McDonogh community since 2011, serving as an English teacher, advisor, coach, and mentor. She is respected by students and faculty for her effective coaching of the writing process and creative curriculum development. Lucy exhibits strong professional commitment through continual learning and has played a visionary role in developing community partnerships. While her contributions will be difficult to replace, the letter writer wishes Lucy the best in her future endeavors and believes the school that hires her will be very fortunate to gain such a compassionate and talented educator.

1. March 21, 2016
To Whom It May Concern:
It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter of reference for Ms. Lucy Dawson because, in doing so, I
am, essentially, saying goodbye to an absolute gem of an educator. Lucy has been an integral part of
the McDonogh community since the fall of 2011 when she joined us as an English teacher, advisor, and
coach of cross country and girls’ soccer. More recently, she has served as a 10th grade team leader
and mentor to new faculty. She is recognized by all as a ray of sunshine with her positive attitude and
demeanor, and she is respected by both students and faculty for her effective coaching throughout the
writing process and her creativity in curriculum development and unit design.
Lucy exhibits an incredible commitment to growing professionally through participation in workshops,
summer institutes, and learning teams on topics ranging from PBL to diversity. While it is clear that we
will miss her professionalism as a colleague, it is her heart and dedication to service that could, quite
possibly, be irreplaceable. She serves as our Upper School Character Coordinator, and it is her vision
that has created our rich and sustainable relationships with PlayWorks and Baltimore
Station. Additionally, she brings us joy on a daily basis, most notably seen recently at the faculty-
student basketball during which she demonstrates perennially that “she's got game!”
How can one find another Lucy Dawson? Impossible! I suspect it may take several people to fill the
void she creates in our Upper School. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to call her our
colleague, and we wish her all the best in her future endeavors. The next stop in her journey as an
educator is one fortunate school to have acquired an English teacher as compassionate, joyful, and
talented as she is. What a treasure!
If you have any questions or would like to discuss Lucy in more detail, please feel free to contact me via
email at mlivermore@mcdonogh.org or by phone at 443-544-7401.
All the best,
Merritt Livermore
Head of the Upper School