1. January12, 2016
Letter of Recommendation for Ms. Tiyata Winters
I serve as the Instructional Resource TeacheratMatthew HensonMiddle School. Iwrite this
letterof supportforMs. TiyataWinters to be awarded as the SMECO Middle School Math Teacherof
the Year. I have workedwithMs. Wintersforthe past 2 years,and highlyrecommendherforthis
award.
Ms. Winters isa consummate professional thatstandsoutas a talentedandcreative teacher.
Ms. WintersiscompletingherMasterof Science degree inCurriculumandInstructionfromMcDaniel
College. She bringswhatshe islearningtolife inhow she prepareslessons,teachesherstudentsand
chairsthe MathematicsDepartmentatMatthew HensonMiddle School.
Ms. Wintersenrichesthe learningexperience forherstudents bymakingthe lessonspalatable
throughher innovativelessonactivities. She incorporatesreal world connectionsandtechnology to
mostlessons. She is alwayspreparedandthinkingaboutwaystoreach boththe strugglinglearnerand
the studentsthatare thrivinginherclass. She creates an environmentthatissafe andenjoyablefor
students tolearn. Her studentslookforwardtocomingto herclassand feel thattheyare more capable
to learningthe material. She hasa wayof relatingtoherstudentswithoutblurringthe linesof teacher
and student. She connectswithherstudentsandshowsthemshe cares.
Ms. Wintersencouragesherstudentstobe reflectiveintheir learningandaccountable inthe
learningprocess. She hasherstudentswrite reflectionstatementsthroughoutthe year. These
reflections allow hertoassesswhere theyare intheirlearning. The reflectionsallow the studentsto
make connectionsandgauge where theyare inthe learningprocess. Usingthe LearningProgressions,
she has herstudentstocomplete checkliststoassesswhere theyare amongthe fourlevels.
Ms. Winters isa natural leader. She leadsateamof 14 teachers,including4special educators
as the Math DepartmentChairperson. She hasa calmspiritand a quickwitthat makeshercomforting
and enjoyabletoworkwith. She isorganizedandalwayslookingaheadtostrategicallyplanforpotential
opportunitiesforstudents andteachers. She isabrightyoungwomanthat is alwayswillingtoshare her
knowledge andexpertise. She was recentlyco-facilitatedaworkshop formathteachers duringthe Fall
ProfessionalDevelopmentworkshops. She andIhave collaborate regularlyonthe planningof school
basedmathdepartmentmeetingsandcollaborative planningopportunities.
Ms. Wintershas extendedhercommitmenttoourschool and itsstudentsasthe leaderof our
PBISprogram at MatthewHensonMiddle School. She iscommittedtodoing anythinginthe school to
helpstudents wanttobe part of thiscommunity.
I recommendMs.Winters,withoutreservation,torepresentourschool andcountyas the
SMECO Math Teacherof the Year. Asa native of CharlesCountyPublicSchools,youcouldnotselecta
more thoughtful,caringandtalentedteacher. Thankyou foryourconsideration.
Sincerely,
Gorgette Y. Green-Hodnett,Instructional ResourcesTeacher