Teacher Education Academy at Clark High

4291 Pennwood Ave. Las Vegas, Nevada 89102

January 5, 2016
To Whom It May Concern,
I have known Brenda Armenta as my student in the T.E.A.C.H. Magnet Program both in her junior
and senior year, and currently as her Internship supervisor. There are not enough words to describe what a
compassionate, inspiring, dedicated leader she is today; I have confidence in her ability to become an
exemplary future educator.
Brenda spent four years in this magnet program that offers a unique curriculum to prepare students
for a career in Education. As her junior instructor for the Methods & Management in Teaching course, her
senior instructor of the Internship & Seminar course, and as her adjunct instructor of UNLV dual-credit
College of Education courses, I can highly recommend Brenda for her strong work ethic, high moral
character, extra-curricular activities, academic accomplishments, and for her tireless community service.
There are three words that immediately come to mind when speaking of Brenda: Caring,
Purposeful and Aspiring. I can personally attest that Brenda is caring, kind and generous to everyone. She
aspires to make a real difference in the lives of children by pursuing a career in education as an Early
Childhood Education teacher. She loves working with Pre-K children and demonstrates her passion for
teaching by participating in a plethora of community service activities involving neighborhood children.
Brenda has a knack of knowing how to observe a person or child, and recognize what they need. She uses
her in-depth awareness of others in all aspects of her life. She has experience volunteering at nearby
elementary schools and has a kind, open approach towards each child. Brenda has experience working
with older children and peers as well. She has tutored Touch Math and Reading Phonemics to high school
students with intellectual challenges and Autism Spectrum Disabilities. She has mentored peers with limited
English proficiency in Clarks English Learners class. She uses her arsenal of intuitive skills, compassion
and knowledge to find a way to help all children, young and old, and to make their day.
Her compassionate nature is accentuated by her intuitive leadership and reputation as an ideal role
model of moral character and integrity. As a leader in a plethora of school activities during and after school,
Brenda uses her bilingual skills, strong communication and management skills to help others. Brendas
positive attitude and thoroughness in completing tasks makes her a valuable member of many school
organizations, many of which she serves in leadership roles. Among the activities she has chaired and
supervised are: the Staff Development Day Care for children of staff members, the visit to Wynn
Elementary School to supervise 30-40 Educators Rising club members as they teach eighty first graders
how to recycle items to protect the environment. This is further demonstrated by her participation in
numerous community service projects which include volunteering at nearby elementary schools for Family
Harvest Festivals, hosting a Dance/Prom and Fall Carnival for students with learning disabilities at Clark,
serving food at homeless shelters and singing holiday carols at a retirement homes.

Brenda is also a young woman who lives a purposeful life. With parents who are a mainly nonEnglish speaking Hispanic family, she will be the first to graduate high school. She has crossed the
threshold of second language barriers and encourages her parents and sibling to learn English. She
aspires to become an educator to successfully transition her family to a fulfilling and secured financial
livelihood. Brendas academic history demonstrates her purposefulness and determination to prepare for
the rigors of college and a career in teaching. Brenda works diligently to maintain high academic grades in
all her Honors/AP courses and is on track to graduate in June 2016. With successful completion of dualcredit College of Education courses: EDU 203 Introduction to Special Education, EDU 280 Multicultural
Education, and EDU 210 Nevada School Law, Brenda demonstrates her readiness and commitment
towards earning a college degree in Education. Every task given to Brenda academically and socially is
completed to the best of her abilities. She prepares, does the research, organizes a sequential and detailed
plan of action and follows-through with self-reflection and with a genuine purpose to improve her
performance for the benefit of her target group. She is reliable and always submits assignments that
demonstrate her breadth and depth of knowledge; she always submits them on time.
Academically, as a member of the senior T.E.A.C.H. program, she has received supplemental
training by Clark County School District (CCSD) facilitators and licensed Master Teachers in Educational
curricular programs such as: Full Option Science Systems (FOSS), Early Childhood Environment Rating
Scale-Revised (ECERS-R) standards, Pre-K and K-12 Nevada Academic Content Standards(NACS), Total
Physical Response (TPR), Sheltered Instructional Observational Protocol/Highly Qualified Sheltered
Instruction (SIOP/HQSI), CORE Touch Math/Touch Money and Reading Literacy Phonemic Strategies for
students with Special Learning Disabilities. All of Brendas experience and training demonstrates her
attention to details and to the production of high quality products and outcomes. As an example, I have
supervised Brendas work in Clarks T.E.A.C.H. Pre-K Camp, a team-teaching T.E.A.C.H. magnet program.
She is efficient, hard-working, and innovative. She knows how to engage young children, and differentiate
her lessons to meet all the special needs of her students.
The third and final word that describes Brenda is aspiring. She runs on pure optimism and a
healthy positive attitude that is inspiring. Brenda is a strong and confident person. Her unique ability to
bridge the cultural and language barriers, to seek a professional occupation in Education and to work
towards equity amid the diversity in schools is inspiring. Brenda does it all with a calm, patient and focused
manner; while she maintains professionalism in all her endeavors. Much of her ability to do this relies upon
her dedication to learn and study. Brenda recognizes the importance of Education as key to successfully
address the challenges one faces in life.
.
Brenda has always used her knowledge to help others. She truly wants to make a positive
difference in the lives of children. I have full confidence that she will accomplish her goals. I highly
recommend Brenda, for she will become a valued asset for any future college or educational organization.
Sincerely,
Joanne E. Ho
Teacher Education Academy at Clark High (T.E.A.C.H.) Magnet Program
Senior Instructor/Internship Supervisor
Educators Rising Advisor
Milken NV 03