Evidence of Support

Taken from a letter of reference written by;
Paula Denton, Ed. D.
Antioch College Faculty, Responsive Classroom Program Director, Teacher, Author
     Power of Our Words
     Learning Through Academic Choice
     The First Six Weeks of School 

I got to know Amy about 10 years ago when she was in training to become a presenter for the Responsive Classroom Workshops.  As the director of program development and delivery  for Responsive Classroom until the spring 2010, I found her to be one of our most valuable consulting teachers.  From the beginning, I appreciated and enjoyed Amy's enthusiastic embrace and deep understanding of student-centered approaches to education and her willingness to think and discuss the ideas of the Responsive Classroom approach at a deep level.  Amy is an excellent teacher, a hard worker, and a positive and caring colleague. 

Taken from a letter of reference written by;
Emily Lichenstein
Massachusetts Coordinator of Accountability for Charter Schools, School Designer, Principal

During this, my first year at Expeditionary Learning, Amy has served as my guide and mentor.  I have found Amy to be an invaluable colleague and source of support during this challenging transitional year. Amy is not only highly knowledgeable in the field of pedagogy, but is also able to communicate her knowledge clearly and effectively.  She has particular expertise in the areas of character education, creating school culture and working with adult learners, but she also has strong content knowledge in many other areas of teaching and learning.

Amy is very comfortable working collaboratively with others. While she is a very organized and creative planner who is fully capable of developing materials on her own, I believe she prefers to work with others, using many minds together to create a stronger final product. She also has excellent communication skills, in that she is able to both speak articulately and listen well.  I have observed her use these same skills to coach teachers in a way that is strong but respectful. 

I have worked with many principals over the years, and have come to see what makes someone a successful leader.  In Amy, I see real leadership potential.  She is truly a lifelong learner who is able to take in new information and use it in her work. I believe she has the passion, commitment and intelligence to be a great asset to any leadership team.

Taken from a letter of reference written by;
Mary McCarthy, Ed.D.
Director of Character Education and Service Learning, Principal, Teacher

I am pleased to write this recommendation for Amy Parmenter. Amy is a talented and dynamic educator. Over the past 11 years, it has been my privilege to witness Amy’s progress from a highly proficient teacher to a highly proficient teacher of teachers and now- administrator.

Amy and I collaborated on many endeavors including the elementary schools portfolios in 2001 when Hudson Public Schools was recognized by the Character Education Partnership as a National District of Character.  Amy also participated in action research through a partnership with Brandeis University called CHESP (Community Higher Education School Partnership). She presented her research at service-learning conferences on the state and national level.

Hudson Public Schools has utilized the Responsive Classroom approach since 1999 and all new elementary teachers are trained in the practice each year. Amy was selected to be one of two in-district Responsive Classroom trainers. Through a rigorous process, Amy was observed during a year-long process by faculty from the Northeast Foundation for Children. Amy was not only certified to lead Responsive Classroom in Hudson, she was also recruited by the Northeast Foundation to lead national workshops for them as well.  Her career as a teacher of teachers was not only highly successful but it also brought Amy back to graduate school for her doctoral studies focusing on the adult learner.

Amy Parmenter has many gifts and talents and she shares them willingly with staff.  Her work with adult learners contributes to the easy rapport that she enjoys with staff. Teachers at Hubert Kindergarten welcomed Amy into their classes and looked for her advice regarding their practice. Amy’s leadership was recognized and appreciated by the Hubert Kindergarten staff.