301 Apple Trail
Marquette, MI 49855
(906) 361-4235
debsasano@gmail.com
December 12, 2023
To Whom It May Concern:
It is my pleasure to convey a letter of recommendation on behalf of Ms. Onajitte Okagbare. Having
observed Ms. Okagbare on multiple occasions, both in general education and in special education
settings, I can attest to aspects of her professional skills and aptitudes. Ms. Okagbare enters the
teaching profession with a determined sense of purpose and passion. She is highly energetic and
charismatic and places great priority on developing strong positive relationships with her students.
Ms. Okagbare established safe and respectful environments for teaching and learning. She
supported and encouraged growth and risk-taking and helped her students understand that errors
can be important steps on the path to learning. One pair of lessons I observed included a student
who, in the first observation, was having an extremely difficult day and was oppositional, defiant,
and non-compliant. In the second observation, the same student was cheerful, attentive and fully
engaged in the lesson and activities. Ms. Okagbare, in each instance, met this learner where he was
and responded accordingly with patience and grace acting in a manner to preserve the learner’s
dignity.
Her lessons, particularly those in the special education resource room, reflected knowledge and
consideration of students’ skills, behaviors, and IEP goals. There was evidence of thoughtful
planning that included a variety of resources and activities in keeping with student attention spans
and the need for manipulatives and movement. Ms. Okagbare was able to effectively instruct and
monitor students whose needs and pace of work were quite varied.
Ms. Okagbare was a willing participant in professional development opportunities, even voluntarily
undertaking an 8-hour IEP boot camp. She eagerly took on the completion of service logs, learned
how to do Medicaid billing and to maintain a variety of records, files, and binders.
Ms. Okagbare was a respected member of the building team. A naturally reflective individual, she
seeks to identify successful elements of planning, instruction and assessment as well as to identify
potential improvements to the lessons she taught. She will be a true and caring advocate for her
students in any position for which she is hired.
Sincerely,
Debra S. Asano
University Supervisor; Retired Administrator/Educator
