March 10, 2015

Lori Temple, NH Teacher of the Year CoordinatorNH Department of Education101 Pleasant St.Concord, NH 03301

Dear Ms. Temple:

It is with pleasure that I have the honor to write in support of Jennifer Thompson as New Hampshire Teacher of the Year.

Jennifer graduated from the Upper Valley Educators Institute (then, the Upper Valley Teacher Institute) in 2009 and has, in the intervening years, been an exemplar of what UVEI holds to be a core value: children need and deserve great teachers and great schools. At the Unity Elementary School, Jennifer has embodied that principle, having initiated new ways of inspiring students to learn. Some of the highlights of her career include:

Independent and collaborative inquiry-based learning for students in Grades 6-8 which moved the students away from traditional textbook and worksheet learning. Students now learn history by contextualizing, questioning and analyzing primary source documents and artifacts, as historians do.

A rigorous research-based independent Capstone Project for all 8th Grade students, required to earn the opportunity to attend the class trip and to graduate.

A community service learning program that directly ties the students’ experiences into classroom learning.

Participation in a National Science Foundation grant-funded program that will introduce students to geospatial technologies in an interdisciplinary setting.

As a professional in the education community, Jennifer is equally inspiring and transformative. She has been an advocate and spokesperson for quality teacher preparation and is a repeat guest on NHPR’s program, “The Exchange.” She was UVEI’s Commencement speaker in 2013, serves as a member of UVEI’s Advisory Council, and, through UVEI, has mentored the next generation of teachers.

I would also like to add a word or two about Jennifer’s exceptional character. As an intern, she was a valued colleague and demonstrated rich leadership skills. Her ability to navigate the delicate balance between leading and collaborating is a model for teacher leaders in schools.

Thank you for the opportunity to let you know about Jennifer Thompson. Writing this has been a pleasure.

Sincerely,

R Page Tompkins, EdDExecutive Director