David\'s letter recommends that I be hired for taking over the technology instruction program at Skyline High School. It highlights leadership and teaching skills.

1. David Edfeldt
May 5, 1999
To Whom It May Concern,
I would like to recommend Eric Long as the long term substitute or short term contract hire to finish out the
year as TIP teacher at Skyline. Eric has done an outstanding job as a student teacher at Skyline and
therefore already knows the needs of the program, and he has all the makings of an outstanding technology
teacher who could make a long and meaningful contribution to computer education in Issaquah. What
follows are my observations of Eric’s teaching as made to his supervising professor at Western and a few
follow up observations of what he’s accomplished since I left.
(Notes to Supervising Professor)
Eric called me early last fall to observe at Skyline. I was immediately impressed by the depth of technical
expertise he possessed, evidenced by his Microsoft certification, but showing even more in the nature of
the questions he asked and the observations he made on the network we had developed. Eric more
completely understood why we had built the school network the way we did than any visitor I’ve ever had.
His expertise has paid dividends in student teaching. Not only does he know the material, he can explain
the material, putting it in a context, and giving specific anecdotal examples of when the material had been
useful in the field.
In days Eric was teaching small groups of students physical wiring. The response of the class was very
positive. They recognized his technical skill as authoritative. His approach was informal, approachable,
allowing students problem-solve correct wiring using the tools rather than didactically proclaiming the
correct solution.
After a short time Eric moved into primary presenter mode. We together rewrote the plan for the rest of the
year, using his experience in NT networking and the MSCE exam process to revise my original curriculum.
We started with a “monkey see, monkey do” approach in which I would teach a lesson fourth period and
Eric would replicate the same material for the next two classes. He has successfully moved into presenting
in all sections.
For his presentations Eric developed PowerPoint shows which were e-mailed to the students for notes. The
presentations typically would flip between concept development with slides and demonstration actually
using machines in the room or servers. The students next completed an assignment that typically required a
simulation or standard activity so all received the same experience. These activities were followed by a
more open-ended activity in which the students would have to apply the concepts to a new situation. The
activities invariably used current culture as a base (Agent Scully of X-files for user permissions lab,
simulated high school groups for file sharing and permissions labs.) Finding the best level of difficulty is
always a trick in technical material, but Eric properly adjusted, backtracked when necessary, pushed faster
when appropriate.
Since Eric joined me I have been offered and accepted a position at Microsoft, an unplanned event but one
I would be foolish to turn down. When I told the students, I was afraid they would have a strong negative
reaction. I was relieved that once they realized Eric would be continuing without me, the students were
very positive about the change, happy for me and comfortable that the program wasn’t going to fall apart.
Over the weeks since the announcement, student feedback about Eric has been consistently positive,
making this transition much easier. His interaction with the students is relaxed, confident and productive.
If there is any weakness in Eric’s experience student teaching it is more in the circumstance than in his
potential. Because my classes are small and filled with motivated students, he has little experience dealing
with discipline issues. He has not needed to acquire the stern disciplinarian toolbox. Also the lab
environment of my class has limited his large group lecture time, most discussion being just-in-time small
group work. To address those needs, Eric is now teaching Computer Applications, a large class full of
students who do not necessarily want to be there. I’m sure this experience will provide the broader

2. exposure he needs. I have also arranged for him to observer master teachers in other disciplines in their
worst classes so he can learn how they handle difficult situations.
Eric struggles writing lesson plans, but frankly I struggle writing plans in this fast changing area of
technology – this isn’t like teaching math out of a book! There are not high school textbooks that apply, so
most things given the students are teacher generated. Creating situations where the subtle network
interactions emerge which the students need to observe (network traffic problems for diagnosing
performance problems, for example) is very difficult and time consuming. I’ve been pleased with Eric’s
work ethic – I know he was surprised by how difficult structuring these situations has been. His progress is
steady and good.
I am also pleased with Eric’s participation in the larger educational role beyond the classroom. He has
daily discussed the building technology needs where we’ve dealt with vandalism, security, access issues,
and an approaching remodel. He has attended all faculty meetings during a window of time when the entire
school has been under attack for overly harsh academic expectations. He participates in weekly meetings to
discuss district-wide technical issues including a tech bond. Eric also attended the NCCE conference for
two days and helped me teach a three-hour NT and school-wide networks workshop on the Saturday
following that conference. He judged student projects for a NWCET competition at Bellevue Community
College. I plan to have him in to speak to my UW extension school networking class. He will be a
contributor to the profession in whatever school he eventually works.
I could not be happier with his progress. He recognizes weaknesses and addresses them. He doesn’t seem
nearly as stressed by the workload as I remember being when I first taught. He will need to learn the
disciplinarian skills and continue to improve his lesson planning, but these are expected problems that will
resolve with experience and time. Eric will make an excellent technology teacher, one I’d certainly like as
a colleague. My bigger concern is he also will be whisked away to the private sector – his technical skills
are so strong and the demand for his unique skills is great.
(some follow up notes)
I have not seen Eric since leaving a month ago so I have only circumstantial evidence to support my belief
that the potential he showed and I documented in this earlier observation has worked out as I’d hoped. First
observation: TIP is a program that is strongly student driven – its success depends on a unique working
relationship with students. I still hear from the kids and student feedback I’ve received on Eric’s work has
been positive. Secondly, it’s important to note that despite the word being out that I was leaving signup for
TIP next year is around 90+ students, another reflection on the student’s confidence in the programs health
under Eric’s leadership. Finally, I am still visiting Skyline on the weekends finishing a networking class
for techs. The room has never been better organized; its obvious things are getting done. I’m confident the
best thing for the program is to retain Eric as primary instructor of the class.
Sincerely,
David Edfeldt