Professional References

REFERENCE- Professional 1

31 October 2007

To Whom It May Concern:

Re: Dione Cameron

Dione Cameron has taught at Huntingtower for the past two years having joined us directly from University. She has been an effective teacher from the first day she joined us and developed rapport with her students very quickly. Her discipline is firm but friendly and she is respected and liked by her classes and by the parents.
Dione was nominated for a “Graduate Teacher of the Year” award at the end of her first year which demonstrates the excellent standard of her teaching and her commitment to excellence in all that she does.

Dione has been teaching Indonesian and English to Year 7 and 8 students and also Integrated Studies. She has been a Mentor to a group of students and has guided them through the year.
Dione has completed the Harvard University’s Teaching For Understanding course and has used this approach in her classes. She differentiates her teaching and ensures that all students are engaged and involved.
She has coached our Aerobics teams for the past two years and this year her teams reached the State finals.

Dione is a very happy, thoughtful person and a well-liked colleague. She is always positive in her consideration of her students and encourages them to strive to do and be their best in all things. She is reliable, thoughtful and professional; an excellent staff member whom I am very sad to lose.

I recommend Dione with confidence and am sure that she will be an asset to any organisation.


Yours sincerely,

Sholto Bowen
Principal


REFERENCE- Professional 2

15th November 2007

To whom it may concern


Dione Cameron has taught at Huntingtower from January 2006 to present. She came to Huntingtower the previous year as a student teacher to complete her final rounds in the Junior School as an Indonesian and generalist teacher. Ms. Cameron already stood out as someone with huge potential showing many signs of an excellent teacher. The school quickly recruited her as a Middle School Indonesian and English teacher. In her first year of teaching the school nominated her for an Outstanding Teacher Award as it was clear that the school had secured an exceptional educator in Ms Cameron.

Ms. Cameron is an excellent teacher, who is always thoroughly prepared, dedicated to her task of teaching and developing her students. She is committed and involved in and out of the classroom. She is intelligent, reliable, professional and takes pride in her career - placing the needs of her students first as she works at challenging and extending them. Her lessons are well prepared.

I have been constantly impressed with Ms. Cameron’s willingness to learn. Taking her role as Year 8 mentor seriously, she has dealt with many parents, always ensuring they are kept well informed of the progress of their children. Her natural sympathy, patience and understanding of teenagers have ensured that she has an easy rapport with the students and that students seek her out for counseling, advice and informal chats.

In terms of the curriculum, Ms. Cameron strives to achieve a learning environment that is lively, stimulating and meets the needs of young adolescents. She has recently completed a Teaching for Understanding online course (Harvard Graduate School of Education), presented at staff in-service, and attended a number of professional development workshops. This year Ms. Cameron took on the role of Year 8 English coordinator. She is ICT savvy and naturally integrates this aspect into her classroom teaching.

She has coordinated the aerobics teams at Huntingtower which has involved choreographing, numerous early morning training sessions, and weekend competitions. Her enthusiasm has been unfailing! She has also been involved in outdoor camps and an overseas trip with students. She has also initiated and been involved in staff fund raising events which add to the life and colour of the school! This willingness to be involved in all aspects of school life goes to show the dedication Ms. Cameron has to the school and its students.

Ms. Cameron is an asset to our Middle School due to the range of interests and abilities. This being the early years of a Middle Years programme at Huntingtower, I have required someone with determination, versatility, adaptability, and a desire to learn and grow as a professional. Ms. Cameron has certainly fulfilled these requirements.

Ms. Cameron will be missed by the students, colleagues and parents. I commend her highly and would be happy to respond to further queries.

Yours sincerely,

Mr. Peter Dry
Vice Principal/Head of Middle School