Timothy K.
For the last few years, I have worked with William and developed a deep respect for his abilities and the breadth of knowledge and experience he brings to teaching. He is talented, motivated and a pleasure to work with.
Any educator knows the unease and worry that accompanies taking a day off. Many substitute teachers are unreliable and show a disturbing lack of initiative or ability to conduct anything besides the simplest lessons. With William, there were never any of these concerns. I began working with him several years ago, and he immediately distinguished himself as the most reliable and effective substitute teacher. He immediately demonstrated an ability to connect with students, and the precious capacity to be able to enforce rules and classroom procedures without alienating the students.
William has stepped up his impact even more this year, serving as a long-term sub in several classrooms. In one, he designed an entire unit around Shakespeare and I heard multiple positive comments from students about these lessons. William has exhibited a capacity to build a rapport with students by discussing literature at high levels or just as easily talking with students about comics or any of their own interests. He has a dry sense of humor, which allows him to keep his cool in even the most chaotic situations without falling into the trap of cynicism.
Beyond his skill and ease with students, William is also a valued and dependable member of the staff. I have honestly never seen a situation in which a substitute teacher has been viewed by the collective staff as such an integral member of the team. Despite a long list of other available subs, William is the first person that most teachers call when they know they need to miss a day. He knows more students by name than many of the regular teachers, and has displayed proficiency stepping into nearly any subject or grade level.