1. February 4, 2004
To Whom It May Concern:
It is my pleasure to recommend Chris Sexton for a teaching position for middle and upper
school academic programs. Chris is a talented, compassionate individual who connects
deeply with his students and collaborates effectively with colleagues. During Chris’ four-
year employment at Archer, he brought excitement and enthusiasm to the classroom,
teaching subjects ranging from geometry and precalculus to creative writing. Chris is a
life-long learner, dedicated to his craft as a teacher and always willing to learn and share
the newest research on how students learn, the necessity for investigative learning in
mathematics and how to integrate real-life application into classroom lessons. Chris’
classroom management style is extremely positive, and he exudes such genuine interest
for the subject matter that students cannot help but love his class. Chris constantly
facilitates to help his students reach their highest potential, giving them not on the tools
necessary to master algorithms but also the passion to look for the importance and beauty
of mathematics in the world around them.
The Archer School for Girls is a demanding work environment, which not only
encourages parent communication, but insists upon it. Chris has established himself with
parents as a dependable, supportive, and empathetic listener and problem solver. He
worked as a liaison between parents, students and other teachers as an upper school
advisor. He organized and chaperoned student trips during Arrow Week, an intensive
study week that combines travel, risk-taking and learning about oneself. He developed
summer programs, providing camping and rock climbing experiences for Archer students
to some of his favorite outdoor places.
Chris serves as the Outdoor Education Coordinator at Archer, and he has built outdoor
education into a successful program that provides students with activities such as rock
climbing in Joshua Tree, surfing in Santa Barbara, camping in Yosemite, and hiking in
the local mountains. His love of the outdoors is an integral part of his personality and he
makes regular reference to taking care of the earth throughout his lessons and outdoor
education activities. The Environment Club and Archer’s successful recycling program
both owe their vitality and strength to Chris Sexton, whose vision and determination to
heighten student awareness of our planet and its resources has directed these programs
and ensured that they will be sustained for years to come.
This is just the beginning of what Chris does at The Archer School for Girls. His
departure will be an incredible loss for the Archer community and its overall spirit. Chris
inspires those he meets—I recall the first day he interviewed at Archer, it is his presence
that day that resonates with me still. He is an extraordinary person, talented musically and
in story-telling. He enriches the lives of his students and colleagues on a daily basis. He
creates opportunities for others, such as participating in a Wilderness First Aid course
that he has coordinated or taking part in a disaster-preparedness scenario that he has

2. orchestrated as part of the Safety Committee. I cannot speak highly enough about Chris
Sexton as a teacher, a colleague and a friend. He is trustworthy and THE person I would
turn to for advice or look for in the event of a crisis. He has provided invaluable direction
and guidance in the development of a mission statement and philosophy for the math
department, and to be honest, it is difficult to imagine Archer without him. His creativity,
presence, and intelligence are balanced in the embodiment of a phenomenal teacher and a
person of the highest integrity.
Please do not hesitate to call me with any further questions you may have about Chris
Sexton. I would be happy to speak with you.
Sincerely,
Judeth L. Petix
Math Curriculum Coordinator