Vanessa Lodge Recommendation

Bear Valley Middle School

I am honored to write a letter of recommendation for Vanessa Lodge. We are both 6th grade humanities teachers at Bear Valley Middle School in Escondido, CA and have been collaborating for the past two years. We work together in grade level groups, den groups, and content groups. I have seen Ms. Lodge blossom into an extraordinary teacher over the past two years.

Last year Ms. Lodge spent hours learning and working with mentors and our literacy coach to become an accomplished teacher. She took her second year of the BTSA process very seriously. Being a 30-year veteran language arts teacher and a 2nd year teacher of social studies, I loved how Ms. Lodge would try something new in her classroom and be excited to share what she learned with her colleagues. Vanessa did this in such a refreshing way that her enthusiasm was contagious for the entire team. Because of this, my students benefited from lessons including a very exciting History Alive simulation during our study of Ancient India called “Unlocking the

Lodge also applied for and was accepted into the competitive Escondido School District iRead program. Participants were given a number of iPads to use in the classroom provided they promised to attend monthly meetings on Friday afternoons from 3:30- 5:30 without financial compensation. This year all 2nd year participants were awarded class sets of iPads if the goals of the program the year before accomplished. The program supports teachers who want go above and beyond to incorporate more technology into the classroom. At these meetings, grade level groups collaborate on projects. Several of us at Bear Valley are part of iRead. Vanessa is a lively participant who brings her very helpful technology expertise to the group. Students along with teachers enjoy and benefit of this program. We work on project-based learning that fosters creativity, collaboration, communication and critical