April 16, 2015 Dear Dr. Dilg: I am writing this letter of recommendation on behalf of my colleague Brandon Lewis. Over the last three academic years, I have been impressed with Brandon’s commitment to quality education, his willingness to learn and grow as an educator, and his strong sense of community as he is willing to get involved in a variety of academic and extra-curricular activities to enhance the education at St. John Vianney High School. These strong characteristics plus Brandon’s strong academic background and his vision for St. John Vianney High School make Brandon an ideal candidate to fill the role of Assistant Principal for Curriculum Before I continue express my further support for Brandon, I think it is fair to address the one concern regarding Brandon and this position. Obviously, Brandon has only been in this profession for three years. Some may view that as a negative, I tend to view it in the opposite manner. Brandon has taught for three years in a high achieving school, he has been exposed to variety of professional development and has worked with some tremendous educators. So, while his years of experience may be viewed with some hesitation, the experience he has had in those years has shaped him to be an excellent assistant principal. As a teacher, Brandon is energetic, passionate, and strong in his content knowledge and he takes healthy risks. As such, he has developed into one of our more dynamic teachers. Students look forward to taking his courses and develop a strong relationship with Brandon. In the role of Assistant Principal, Brandon would be an asset in helping inexperienced teachers transition into their new positions at St. John Vianney High School. In addition, Brandon’s experiences with technology and differentiated instruction would provide a needed refresher for veteran faculty looking to improve their methodology. Beyond the classroom, Brandon is always involved in the extracurricular activities of the school. Whether it is supporting the various sports teams, moderating Student Council, or developing the History Club, Brandon is an educator who wants to be involved in the life of his students. As an assistant principal, Brandon would be an engaging advocate for students as they make their academic journey. He would connect with students and parents to ensure the quality educated that St. John Vianney High School has promised all of their students. A lifelong learner, Brandon has proven that he is willing to share ideas and learn new ones as well. He has been a presenter and participant at a variety of local and national conferences. Twice, he has presented at METC on his work in the classroom. He was part of a group of teachers and administrators to present at the NCEA conference in April of 2015 and he has presented and attended multiple EdCamps. Brandon is always stretching himself and learning about the latest educational trends. As an Assistant Principal, Brandon’s continuous learning would serve as an aid to the faculty who want to try new ideas and concepts and he would serve as a model for others to attend the variety of professional development opportunities of which he has taken advantage. In conclusion, strong leadership teams are focused on the “who” then the “what”. Who is Brandon Lewis? Brandon is an outstanding educator. He is a motivated professional. He is a respected teacher and a valued peer. He is, professionally, light years ahead of typical third year teachers and he is an excellent candidate for the position of Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction. Respectfully, Kevin W. Walsh Social Studies Teacher St. John Vianney High School