Michelle Lehnardt

2779 E Craig Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84109 · 801-635-5847 · michellelehnardt@gmail.com

 

April 10, 2021

 

Skyline High School
3251 E 3760 S,
Salt Lake City, UT 84109

 

 

Dear Principal Nerdin,

 

With great enthusiasm, I recommend Shelah Miner as a French instructor at Skyline High School.

 

I know Shelah in several roles:

• as a parent whose children benefited from Madame Miner’s French classes

• as the co-guide on a trip where we took students to London and Paris

• as a colleague on a literary journal and blog

• as a friend who marvels at her dedication to her students, to constantly upleveling her teaching skills, and her love and perpetually expanding knowledge of the French language and worldwide French culture.

 

In Shelah’s classroom, my children learned French naturally and quickly gained confidence and aptitude. Rather than focusing on grammar and vocabulary lists, Madame Miner encourages students to speak French, to read stories, to seek out French music and cinema. My children especially enjoyed learning about French speakers in Africa, Canada, and the Caribbean, as well as France. Additionally, they gained excellent grammar, writing, speaking and vocabulary skills.

 

Beyond her extraordinary teaching methods, Madame Miner truly cares about her students. She sees students as whole people, working with them through struggles while still holding them accountable.

 

As a friend, I am constantly amazed by Shelah’s dedication to her students. She regularly invests in new training programs, searches songs, videos and podcasts to bring French to life for her students, and celebrates each holiday with a French twist. Covid put a serious damper on Shelah’s holiday traditions in the classroom. I know she can’t wait to bring back the buche de Noel at Christmas, crepes on Chandeleur, and Moroccan couscous in Spring.

 

In 2018, Shelah and I took a group of French students, ages 13-17, to London and Paris. A non-profit venture, Shelah expertly planned, scheduled and seamlessly organized hotels, meals, transportation, schedules and tickets for our group. Not only did Shelah keep everyone safe and on schedule, she also kept the group happy and laughing while navigating numerous problems.

 

You can count on Shelah. She doesn’t make excuses or beg out; she shows up with excellence and keeps her commitments. I can set my watch by Shelah.

 

I’ve worked with hundreds of brilliant men and women in various capacities. I am currently working as a campaign manager for a U.S. Senate race with some of the best minds in Utah. Shelah remains the smartest, most capable person I know in any capacity. Yet, she’s never conceited about her abilities. She humbly works to improve her skills and treats people with extraordinary kindness.

Skyline would benefit immensely by employing Madame Miner. She will expand and enhance the French program and improve the mental health of her students because of her ability to truly see people and solve problems.

Please let me know if I can provide any more information to strengthen Shelah’s candidacy as an instructor at Skyline. I am so grateful that someone with her capabilities devotes her talent to teaching and mentoring teens.

Sincerely,

 

 

Michelle Lehnardt

801-635-5847