Rec ltr

1. JENNIFER E. WILLIAMS
430 Druid Road West
Clearwater, Florida 33756
jen.williams@aol.com
727.430.3873
May 31, 2014
To Whom it May Concern,
It is both my professional and personal pleasure to write this letter of
recommendation for Mrs. Fran Siracusa, an incredibly valuable member of the
Country Day School faculty. As both a colleague and a teacher to my own
children, I have known Fran for the past four years in her role as World
Language Department Head and Director of International Programs. In my
position as Director of Education, I have had the privilege of working each day
with Fran and have come to not only respect her professionally, but also as a
cherished friend.
I first met Fran when she joined the Country Day School community in 2010.
Fran immediately sparked excitement within the faculty and the students
through her innovative teaching practices and with the integration of
technology into her Spanish classrooms. Through meaningful and creative
lessons, she shared her passion for the Spanish language and culture with
students ages two through eighth grade. Over the years, I have watched each
lesson in her classroom come alive as she brilliantly connects experience to
concepts in authentic and exciting ways! Children feel empowered to reach
greatness and are supported by Fran each step of the way.
With a shared interest in 21st
century teaching practices and research, Fran and
I were instant teaching partners and friends from the moment we met. Together
we sought out professional learning opportunities that would further develop
our programs and enhance our abilities as educators. Fran’s enthusiasm for
lifelong learning is contagious. She constantly pursues opportunities to present
at conferences and embraces any chance to collaborate with like-minded and
forward-thinking educators from around the world. Following receiving a
Master’s degree in Educational Technology, Fran assisted in coordinating a 1:1
iPad program for our World School program. Further, she worked to develop
programs for teachers, including a weekly Technology Consortium for Country
Day School faculty members, a summer Technology Collaborative Institute
bringing teachers from near and far to learn together, and inspired a school-

2. wide faculty Spanish language challenge to inspire language learning for
teachers.
Further, in her role as International Program Coordinator, Fran carries out the
school mission to “educate children within a supportive environment to become
confident lifelong learners, intellectually discerning thinkers, effective
communicators, and responsible participants in a global society.” Fran has
instilled this mission into every school day. Whether coordinating 21st
century
global projects with friends from around the world in projects such as Flat
Classroom, Caine’s Arcade, Rock Our World, Global Happiness Project, and
International Model UN, or organizing international travel for our Middle
School students to Spain, Costa Rica, and China, Fran truly embodies the
culture of the school community and is an inspirational change agent that has
the dedication, determination, and passion for creating amazing things.
Fran is devoted to supporting her team and champions each student to reach the
highest of heights. Her deep understanding of educational technology and
language pedagogies and methodologies and enthusiasm for research and best
practices enable her to develop outstanding programs. With a passion for
connecting and networking and fervor for educating through activity-based
learning, her classrooms are alive with invention, imagination, and
collaboration.
As a devoted educator, innovator and lifelong learner, Fran is an inspiration to
all students, parents, and teachers. In addition to her excellence in performing
her many responsibilities at Country Day School, I admire Fran for her
kindness, compassion, integrity, professionalism, and daily enthusiasm. Fran
will be an invaluable addition to any professional organization she joins. It is
with great pleasure that I highly recommend my colleague and friend, Fran
Siracusa, to your program.
Warm Regards,
Jennifer Williams
Jennifer Williams, MS, CCC-SLP
Director of Education
Country Day School