Letter of Support

December 18, 2016

Dear Review Committee:

I would like to submit a letter of reference and support for Art Fisher, Instructor for the Graduate Studies Program at OLC.  

I have worked with Art during the 10 years that I have spent at OLC.  When I first met Art he was Chair of the Education Department.  At that time I assisted with the fiscal management of a grant that he had through the Department of Education, Office of Indian Education.  He also was adjunct instructor for education courses within the Lakota Leadership and Management, Education Administration Emphasis Master’s Degree Program.  Since that time Art has become the faculty instructor for the Graduate Studies Program.  He has also served as interim Director of Graduate Studies.  

Whether in the Education Department or the Graduate Studies Department, Art has always strived to enhance and strengthen the program that he is working with.  As a Director or Chair he looks to the future, not by just considering what the needs of the next semester are, but to what the needs will be in two years, or three, or well into the future.  For the Graduate Studies Department that meant considering what criteria the state might use to assess our programs in the future.  He has had an eye towards trends within the education world and has tried to keep the programs that he works with up to date within developing methods.  

As an instructor Art has a definite dedication to providing his students with an experience and with the information which will allow them to succeed and to excel once they have obtained their degrees.  The students that Art deals with come to class with a wide range of readiness.  He strives with each student to provide knowledge content steeped in Lakota traditional knowledge and with contemporary pertinent knowledge.  Art rises to the challenge by providing information unique to each students’ interests.  The ancillary informational formats that he provides are evidence of the hours of preparation time that he gives to each class that he instructs and demonstrate that he goes beyond the requirements of class preparation times asked for.  Once built these knowledge platforms are constantly updated by Art to include the latest information for the subject that he is instructing.  

Within the department, Art is a regular contributor to whatever task that we are working on.  Be it consideration for new degree areas, development of departmental strategic plans, or the minutia of developing future schedules, Art lends his expertise freely, often drawing our attention to linkage between one task and another.  Because of his constant attention to developing trends within education, Art often is able to give foresight to department decisions.  

Art is a constant supporter of OLC, always proud of what we do here and always letting others know the positive things that go on at OLC.

Favorable consideration for an extended contract for this instructor would serve the college well and be in the best interest of our students. 

Pilamaya ye

 

Sandra White Shield Graduate Studies Program Administrative Assistant    

No comments:

Post a Comment