UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE
BERKELEY  DAVIS  IRVINE  LOS ANGELES  MERCED  RIVERSIDE  SAN DIEGO  SAN FRANCISCO                    SANTA BARBARA  SANTA CRUZ
School of Education                                                                        3200 Education
                                                                                           Irvine, CA 92697-5500
                                                                                           (949) 824-4172
                                                                                           (949) 824-9103 FAX
                                                                                           tomas@uci.edu
May 4, 2017
To Whom It May Concern,
I have had the pleasure of working with Michael Frew in my role as the coordinator of the Multiple Subject
Credential + MAT Program at UC Irvine. Michael is a student in my year-long seminar course where he is
required to submit lesson plans, discuss classroom management and student teaching responsibilities.
Michaels reflections on his teaching revealed careful attention to detail, awareness of student need and an
intention to improve. Comments from his supervisor and mentor teacher describe a student teacher with great
promise.
I observed Mr. Frew in his student teaching classroom in the Corona-Norco Unified School District. I was
immediately impressed with his rapport with his students, the majority of them English learners. Michael
worked with his mentor teacher to gradually assume responsibility for planning and teaching, yet Michael was
able to move faster than our suggested schedule. His mentor teacher trusted him and gave him multiple
opportunities to substitute and take over the whole day. Michaels student teaching placement was the farthest
away from UCI, compared to his peers who were all placed in Orange County, but he never used that as an
excuse. He attended all classes on time, attended optional professional development opportunities and kept in
contact with each of his professors whenever he had questions. In addition to his professionalism and excellent
academic progress, Michael is considerate of others and well-liked by his peers.
Based on my interactions with Michael Frew at UCI and my observation of him in the elementary classroom, I
can confidently recommend Mr. Frew for a classroom teaching position. Please feel free to contact me if
additional information is requested.
Sincerely,
Susan Toma-Berge, Ed. D.
Multiple Subject Coordinator
tomas@uci.edu
(949) 824-4172