Telephone (276) 821-5858 Fax (276) 821-5851 Internet: http://www.bristolvaschools.org/vhs

Ronnie Collins Virginia High School Brenda W. Carroll Principal 1200 Long Crescent Drive Assistant Principal

Bristol, Virginia 24201

Paul L. Love Assistant Principal

To Whom It May Concern:

It is my pleasure to recommend Emery Reed for a teaching position with your school

system.

I have known Emery for the past four years in an administrator/teacher capacity where he

has taught in our Social Studies Department. He has taught Geography, U.S. History and AP

U.S. History this year and is extremely knowledgeable. Emery has been a tremendous asset to

the Virginia High School faculty and has been most impressive in his efforts to continuously

improve his teaching abilities as well as mentoring other teachers.

Emery is a real team player; he has always accepted extra responsibilities with

enthusiasm and has shown professional behavior at all times.

You may call upon me at your convenience if I may be of any further service to you. I

can be reached at 276-821-5855 or rcollins@bvps.org

Sincerely,

Ronnie Collins

Principal

CLEVELAND CITY SCHOOLS

4300 Mouse Creek Road NW

Cleveland, TN 37312

Martin E. Ringstaff, Ed.D.

Director of Schools

December 17, 2011

Great teaching is what every administrator strives to find. While I was principal at Virginia High School, I

was blessed to have some great teachers. In a time when educators are challenged by state legislators

and the communities in which they serve, the great teachers stand up to the challenges and overcome

teachers that I wish my children could have one day. As a World Geography teacher, he had a way of

reaching the students that many teachers struggle to reach. His persistence to excellence and

dedication led me to place him in Advanced Placement U.S. History. Mr. Reid can relate well with the

struggling students, as well as the over-achievers.

member, and lead through adversity, you are seeking Emery Reid. I recommend him without any

reservation for any position you may have. If you let him pass, you will have a student somewhere

down the path not meet his/her potential because you did not go with the one person that I have

witnessed get the most challenging of students meet their potential. Emery Reid is a great teacher. He

has found his niche. It would be a huge loss for Virginia High School if he leaves, but it will be a huge

gain on your side.

Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns at 423-414-6974.

Respectfully:

Martin Ringstaff, Ed.D.

Director of Schools

To Whom It May Concern, 17 March 2010

I would like to tell you of some excellent work being done by Mr. Reid which is above and

beyond the call of duty. When the two of us were put in charge of the History Club last year it was

uncertain whether a club of this sort would catch on with the students. We tried a fund raiser last year

and it basically flopped. There was a lot of talk but not much action by the members. After investing so

much of his time and resources into the club Mr. Reid was not content to let the club fizzle.

This year he has used his enthusiasm and sharp ideas to build up the club. We did some good

work for the Haitian earthquake relief like we had done for the troops last year, but all work and no

play doesn't keep members. So this year Mr. Reid organized a President's Day visit to the 5th grade at

Washington Lee by George Washington (Kolby Huffman), Thomas Jefferson (Aaron Dowdy), Abe

Lincoln (Jon Combs) and Teddy Roosevelt (Jonathan Tuck). They dressed up in costume and donned

beard and mustache and the effect was like having Mount Rushmore come to visit.

The format was to let the Presidents tell a little about themselves and then let the 5th graders

ask questions. Then we had birthday cake generously supplied by our culinary arts program. The

Presidents did a super job and everyone had a great time! They kids loved it! Attached are copies

of some of the Thank You Notes the kids wrote.

Restaurant where the proprietor, Max Hermann, showed us the oldest building in Abingdon, VA and

detailed its history and explained the nature of the strange occurrences that are said to take place in the

attic. His love and respect for this small piece of our heritage kept us spellbound. Afterward, we went

for a tour of the Martha Washington Inn led by Ghost Storyteller, Donna Marie Emmert, who did an

excellent job. Everyone was interested and our students behaved admirably.

All of this is the product of Mr. Reid's hard work and dedication. He is a pleasure to

work with and has excellent rapport with the students and is a great role model for them. We are lucky to

have him and in these times of hearing so much negativity about education I just wanted you all to know

what a positive difference his is making for our students.

Thank you for your time.

Respectfully,

'

Dick Austin

a a,...