This letter recommends Melissa Larson for an administrative role. It details that the author has known Larson for 14 years, including directly supervising her for 4 years as the library/media specialist at Arrowhead Elementary. Larson transitioned into this role with expertise and passion, took on additional leadership roles, and went above expectations to support teachers. Over 4 years, Larson built strong staff relationships and demonstrated a commitment to initiatives through data analysis, continuous improvement, and systems alignment. The author expresses that Larson is ready for an administrative role due to being well-versed in education reform and technology and believing in continuous improvement.

1.
January
17,
2016
To
Whom
It
May
Concern:
It
is
with
great
sincerity
that
I
write
this
recommendation
letter
for
Melissa
Larson
whom
I
have
known
for
fourteen
years,
and
was
her
direct
supervisor
for
four
of
those
years
in
my
role
as
a
principal
in
the
Deer
Valley
Unified
School
District.
During
this
time
Melissa
was
our
library/media
specialist
at
Arrowhead
Elementary.
I
heard
that
she
was
a
tremendous
classroom
teacher
so
I
was
delighted
to
be
able
to
hire
her
in
her
new
career
choice.
She
transitioned
into
her
new
position
with
the
same
expertise
and
passion
that
she
displayed
as
a
teacher.
This
role
enabled
Melissa
to
take
on
additional
leadership
roles.
She
also
found
herself
in
a
support
role
to
the
classroom
teachers.
She
went
over
and
above
expectations
to
ensure
that
teachers
had
what
they
needed
to
extend
their
instructional
practice.
I
mention
this
because
I
believe
this
desire
to
support
teachers
is
essential
in
a
good
school
administrator.
She
did
it
naturally
and
was
vested
in
the
success
of
the
classroom
teacher.
Over
her
four-­‐year
tenure,
Melissa
built
strong
relationships
with
staff
members.
Melissa
demonstrates
team
capacity
with
her
commitment
to
district
initiatives.
She
also
has
provided
professional
development
in
her
current
position.
She
has
truly
taken
on
the
role
of
a
campus
leader
in
staff
development.
She
has
proven
that
she
can
implement
district
and
school
initiatives
at
the
campus
level
with
fidelity
due
to
her
understanding
of
data
analysis,
continuous
improvement
strategies
and
systems
alignment.
Melissa
is
ready
for
an
administrative
role.
She
is
current
on
research-­‐based
education
reform;
she
believes
in
continuous
improvement
for
all
stakeholders;
she
excels
in
the
effective
use
of
technology
and
I
anticipate
she
will
continue
to
expand
her
professional
horizons,
as
she
is
a
life-­‐long
learner.
I
am
available
for
further
information
regarding
Mrs.
Melissa
Larson
Sincerely,
Sharon
Matt
Principal,
Sonoran
Foothills