March, 2017

To Whom It May Concern:

I have had the pleasure of working with Tess Johnston during her fifth
year internship experience at Michigan State University. As her field
instructor I have watched her teach, almost weekly, as well as met with
her on Friday during our seminar. During both of her placements, a
semester in general education and a semester in special education, she
has successfully completed two graduate level courses on campus. This
is not an easy year, but Tess has handled it beautifully.

Tess has brought a passion and gift for working with children. Her
lessons are well researched, organized and appropriate for her students,
whether for an individual, small group or whole class. When she manages
behavior, it is in the form of teaching rather than controlling. Setting
high, but reasonable, standards and expectations for all students, Tess
knows how to work with them to help them move toward meeting them.

One of the things that most impresses me is Tesss willingness to do

more than is expected. For example, she is working with a class of fourth
graders whose primary language is Spanish. She took it upon herself to
test the entire class, create intervention groups based on need and
ability, and then to develop lessons appropriate for each unique group.
College of In her special education placement, Tess not only prepared and taught
Education lessons that would help students meet their IEP goals, she also supported
them with skills and strategies that would help students be successful in
Department of
their general education classrooms. This involved collaborating with the
COUNSELING,
EDUCATIONAL general education teachers she shared students with, so important with
PSYCHOLOGY, special education students.
AND SPECIAL
EDUCATION Tess is truly one of the finest interns I have had the privilege of working
with, both in my capacity as a field instructor at MSU and as a mentor
Michigan State teacher in the public school system I retired from. It is with complete
University confidence that I recommend Tess Johnston for any position for which she
620 Farm Lane
335 Erickson Hall applies. She will make a difference in the lives of the students and school
East Lansing, MI community fortunate enough to hire her.
48824

517-355-1837 Mrs. Dottie Berzins

Fax: 517-353-6393
education.msu.edu
Mrs Dottie Berzins

Special Education Field Instructor

Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action,
equal-opportunity employer.