ST. STEPHEN'S & ST. AGNES SCHOOL

Living Our Mission

Reference for Lucy Wood

Dear School Administrator,

I am writing this letter of recommendation in support of an outstanding young teacher, Ms. Lucy Wood. Full

disclosure requires me to state that I provide this letter with great reluctance because it is my hope that Ms.Wood will remain a member of the St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School faculty for many years to come.

A short conversation with Lucy reveals that she is an individual possessing the powerful combination of a keenintellect and an engaging personality. Lucy joined our faculty in the fall of 2007 after a journey that includedhigh academic success at challenging institutions and work in a pressure-filled private sector job. Myintroduction of Lucy when she addressed the Upper School community at an Academic Convocation includedthis story about her first visit to St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School:

A member of the faculty encouraged me to meet Ms. Wood and talk to her about a teaching position inour Upper SchooL. I asked her to come and visit and that visit morphed into an intense, full dayinterview. Without any warning Ms. Wood interviewed with the Head of School, members of theEnglish department and other administrators. I asked if she would be willing to teach a lesson to a class.The lesson, discuss the William Carlos Williams poem about plums and the icebox.

Ms. Wood must have learned something watching Duke basketball players make crucial game winningshots under pressure, because she went into that classroom and did not miss a beat. Knowledge, poiseand passion for teaching all were on display.

Since joining our faculty Lucy has worked hard each day to become a better teacher. Her students sense herpassion and respect her intelligence. I have observed her classes often and I have always found a classroomwhere students are fully engaged in the process of learning. She has continued her journey as a life-long learnerpursuing in the summer a master's degree concentrating on the study of the "great books." Under Ms. Wood'sguidance students have become better writers and stronger communicators. She manages a classroom with theconfidence and skill of a teacher with many more actual years in front of students.

Lucy is the ultimate team player as exemplified by her contributions to our community outside the classroom.As a coach on the soccer pitch, sponsor of our multi-cultural club, advisor to the "It's Academic Team" andchaperone on service trips, Lucy has fully embraced the role as teacher and mentor for our students.

I encourage you to give Lucy every consideration to join your faculty. She is a good teacher on the path ofbecoming a great teacher. I recommend her with no reservations.Please contact me with any questions regarding Lucy.

Sincerely,

~J ~~.---;

Bud GarikesDirector of Upper SchoolSt. Stephen's & St. Agnes School Grades JK-5: 400 Fontaine Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22302

Grades 6-8: 4401 West Braddock Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22304Grades 9-12: 1000 St. Stephen's Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22304

(703) 751-2700www.sssas.org