Friday, September 30, 2011

Jr High Recommendation

We are currently going thru the application process for Grace to get into the private school which Drew goes to. Everyone should be required to obtain letters of recommendation to get into Jr High. It is a great process for self reflection and gives incredible feedback from people who know your children. The letters we have received have brought tears to my eyes. Here is an excerpt from one of them:

Motivation

Grace is one of the most self-motivated students I have known in my twenty years as an educator. She sets very high standards for herself and works hard to achieve them. Due to the challenges that come with dyslexia, Grace can sometimes feel overwhelmed with her workload. Yet she takes responsibility for her own learning and asks for support when she needs it. Her parents did not push her to get math tutoring: that was *her* idea. She invariably comes to her lessons prepared with questions to ask and all necessary materials. Outside of school, Grace avidly pursues extracurricular interests, from playing on competitive soccer and hockey teams to reading books to hiking and traveling with her family. I’m confident that her high level of motivation will lead Grace to set inspiring goals for herself in junior high and beyond and to work hard to reach them.

Grace has one more asset that bodes well for her continued success: family support. Her parents understand the gifts and challenges that come with dyslexia, and are committed to providing Grace with whatever support is needed for her learning, from educational therapy to appropriate accommodations to assistive technology. In addition, her parents are very supportive of Grace's teachers and school, serving as effective liaisons and respectful advocates.

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