To Whom It May Concern,
I am pleased to be writing this letter of recommendation for Ben Wilkoff. I have had the privilege of knowing Ben for the last three years and have always known him to be dedicated and passionate. Ben is not only a wonderful teacher; he is a strong leader. Ben has been an inspiration to me since I started working in the Douglas County School District. As a matter of fact, having the opportunity to work with Ben was one of the reasons I joined the staff of Cresthill Middle School.
Working with Ben this past year, I have always found him to be available and extremely helpful. I knew I could talk to Ben for advice about purchasing a particular novel for my classroom or for help writing a grant for materials. As a department leader, he was supportive of my decisions in the classroom and even took time from his teaching to observe and share feedback concerning my lessons. I feel incredibly lucky to have such a talented and passionate mentor.
At first glance, Ben may seem like simply a strong leader and supportive mentor and colleague but I assure you there is much more underneath the surface. Using research and gut instinct, he is always on top of the most current and grounded educational trends. He is passionate about educating children and adults for the 21st century. He uses lessons that will provide the best results for his students and more importantly, he encourages students to think for themselves and become life-long critical thinkers. He provides opportunities for students to use technology and he also encourages his Language Arts teachers to integrate technology into their instruction.
As a member of various professional organizations, Ben spends time attending various trainings and meetings to ensure his students receive the best possible education. He also spends time teaching and supporting teachers across this district by attending and leading workshops and trainings. Having worked for multiple principals across two districts, I believe that a good leader is strong but flexible, passionate yet grounded, a speaker who is a listener, and someone who can connect with teachers and students alike. Ben is that leader.
On a personal level, Ben always has a smile on his face. With one glance, anyone can see that Ben loves what he does. While Ben is fabulous middle school teacher, I see him blossom when given opportunities to lead and inspire adult learners.
Starr Hill
