Letters of Recommendation
From Nicole Momot, in reflection of my role as an Intern with Sensa Educational Systems
From Ken Long, in reflection of my role as Student Teacher with Ann Arbor Public Schools
From Dr. Juan Roman, in reflection of my role as a student in his Strategic Management Capstone course with the University of Maryland Global Campus
"Jessica is an excellent public speaker who connected with interested BLI students during informal tabling, one-on-one conversations, as well as structured info session presentations. Jessica is an enthusiastic and engaged facilitator who builds off group contributions and answers questions thoroughly and honestly. People love working with her! Jessica has had a massive impact on our organization through recruiting students, training and mentoring our facilitators, and putting in tons of behind-the-scenes effort to making sure our programs and classes run smoothly. She is exceptional!"
- Ethan Hopper, former Community Engagement & Outreach Program Assistant, Barger Leadership Institute
"I want to especially commend [Jessica] on [her] strategy of asking questions. Questions have power, and whether a student associated with a team, or working in an organization, being willing and able to use questions (even sometimes when you already know the answer) is an excellent way to draw in more information, as well as enable others to think. Many of organizations are "answer" cultures...everyone has an answer...but a "question culture" is a learning culture and a good place for development." - Dr. Yates' feedback in response to Jessica's reflection on a group project and her approach in making sure to ask questions when with the group to probe different ideas to consider and to promote engagement with team members.
- William Yates, University of Maryland Global Campus Graduate Professor, Foundations of Project Management Course
"Jess always brought such a positive attitude to everything she did. She co-led peer facilitator training for the BLI and she made the late-night training engaging and informative. She really reminded me the importance of maintaining that positivity and being approachable in our position as peer facilitators."
- Jessica Kosticak, former Peer Facilitator, Barger Leadership Institute
"Students enjoy Jessica's actions in the classroom. She is consistent, positive, and actively provides a positive learning environment ... She also manages all teacher responsibilities with precision."
- Ken Long, Cooperating/Mentor Teacher during Student Teacher Placement, Social Studies Department Chair at an Ann Arbor Public School
" Literacy Skills: Jessica’s current lessons bring literacy into her classroom. At a recent observation, her use of political cartoon sources supported her student’s understanding of what the political climate was like prior to WWII. In addition, she took the time to select sources that kept her students’ interest.
Curriculum Prep: Jessica’s current lessons engage her students in critically thinking about the lesson topic through collaborative group work, which are very successful. The materials selected work well for all of her students.
Classroom management- Jessica has a relaxed, calm manner she presents to her students. They respond well when given instructions and directions. During small group work time, Jessica moves about the room to check in with each group, and she is well received by her students. When she asks for volunteers to respond to questions, students are more than willing to participate. Students show their respect for Jessica as their instructor. "
- Mercedes (Marcy) Ott, 3rd Semester Field Instructor/ Social Studies Lecturer III School of Education, University of Michigan
"Jess brings an excellent attitude and teacher's eye to seminar and field placement. She's especially strong in her skill in observing and noticing teacher moves and I've seen her adjust her instruction accordingly, both during her facilitation of a community builder in seminar and during the lesson I observed at [Ann Arbor school]. She also has asked great questions and wrote thoughtful reflections over the course of the semester."
- William (Bill) Waychunas, 2nd Semester Field Instructor School of Education, University of Michigan
Feedback from College of Literature, Science and the Arts (LSA) Orientation Students, while a Peer Advisor, Summer 2019
"Awesome class, I loved the group meditation. By the final meeting I was sad to be finishing the class. Also after leaving each class I felt more at peace walking through campus." - Ann Arbor Koru graduate, Oct. '19 class
"Overall support, listening and encouragement given by Jessica." - Ann Arbor Koru graduate, Oct. '19 class
"Mindfulness has given me a tool kit to manage my stress." - Katherine Z.
"I loved the course! It helped me getting better skills to have a better mindfulness practice, going beyond theory and learning about different ways to meditate." - Ann Arbor Koru graduate, Sept. '19 class
"A very good introduction to mindfulness. Simple, achievable tasks in a quick, four-week class." - Ann Arbor Koru graduate, Nov. '19 class
"This class has helped me focus on taking a step back when I am stressed. I have been able to engage my breathing and reflect on people and place I am grateful for in my life. I hope to continue to improve my meditation as a skill for stress management". - Ann Arbor Koru graduate, Nov. '19 class
Feedback from Koru Mindfulness Class Graduates