1. May 15, 2008
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing this letter of recommendation on behalf of David Ricker. Mr. Ricker came to work
at Huntington Learning Center in August of 2007 and has had a tremendous impact on our
program and the lives of the students enrolled at the Center.
Dave moved back from Florida to CT to be near family. That stood out for me as I interviewed
him and we discussed the importance of family and community and changing lives. We had an
initial training that was required of all teachers; it was important that each teacher was fully
trained, but also felt a part of the teaching staff and center- part of a community. Without
hesitation, Dave volunteered that he would be there! He wasn’t even living in the state and drove
all the way from Florida to be a part of the team and receive the training!
As an employer, I am continually impressed by his dedication and willingness to go the extra
mile. As a parent, I’m dually impressed by his teaching skills and passion to make a difference in
the lives of children. I had the unique opportunity of witnessing Mr. Ricker teach my daughter at
the Huntington Learning Center. One day she was stumped and was in a very uncomfortable
place of not knowing- and the walls came up. Dave was able to meet her where she was-
sensitively balancing keeping her on track and disciplined while building a sense of confidence
and, further, fostering independence. I have watched him work with students and build the
passion for learning and fortitude to it takes to experience academic success.
Mr. Ricker has a special gift for connecting with students. I’ve observed him over and over again
taking students who present as unmotivated, or truly believe they cannot learn a skill, and he turns
them around. He connects with each child and he works with each student uniquely- providing a
language where they are able to unlock the puzzle of learning. He takes each child and works to
understand their struggles as well as their gifts and talents.
Mr. Ricker is one of those teachers that you are blessed to come across in your life-time; he is one
of those teachers that change lives!
I recommend Mr. Ricker without hesitation. If there is any additional information I can provide,
please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Michelle Voegtle
Executive Director
Huntington Learning Center
530 Bushy Hill Rd.
Simsbury, CT 06070
(860) 309-1013