ACADEMY OF AEROSPACE AND ENGINEERING

GREATER HARTFORD ACADEMY OF MATH AND SCIENCE

To Whom It May Concern: June 7, 2021

Vera Combs is an advocate for financial literacy. She is someone who believes that all
students deserve a financial education that will allow them to thrive in their future lives
beyond high school. During her tenure at the Academy of Aerospace and Engineering, she has
worked to help make finance a requirement for all students in high school. As one of only 91
educators chosen from high schools spanning 28 states, she will be attending the Next Gen
Personal Finance (NGPF) summit this March in California. She will be part of a team of
teachers and administrators working to achieve the Gold Standard in personal finance
education in their schools and districts. As a result, Vera will be part of the changemakers
who will ensure that all students take a semester-long personal finance class prior to crossing
their graduation stage.
Vera understands that hands-on learning may not always be enough and what is really
needed for student mastery of a concept is to have students mentally engaged with
information that is relevant and meaningful to them. The focus of her lesson plans revolve
around the success of her students in their post-secondary planning. In her senior financial
algebra class, Vera helps students simulate the interview process, research and fill out
scholarships, calculate the cost of college, and support students through the completion of the
FAFSA. Her flipped classroom reverses the traditional learning environment, illustrating her
investment in students taking ownership of their learning by becoming leaders in the
classroom. During her unit on banking, the students teach the content, as they research
banks and create advertisements to propose to their future selves as college students. These
group presentations require the students to understand key financial terms such as APR and
compounding interest as well as being able to explain the differences among everything from
CDs and savings accounts to fees and penalties. In each of these learning opportunities, Vera
plans for the implementation of multiple modalities in order to meet students where they are
and move them to where she knows they can be. She uses movement, visuals, verbal and
written directions, outlines to scaffold work, and guiding questions to structure small group
and whole group discussions in order to maximize engagement and understanding. She
brings math from what has the potential to be repetitive and rote to authentic and tangible.
Her conscientious nature transfers to a detail-oriented lesson planner. She is someone
who is constantly thinking a few steps ahead, looking holistically at a unit to see how each
piece needs to seamlessly fit together in order to ensure objectives are met. As someone who
is consistently looking to improve her craft, she meets daily with our math tutor to discuss the
lesson that was just taught and collaboratively reflect upon on what she can improve for the
next class.
Her creative assignments challenge students to think deeply about the material in an
unconventional manner. Vera has advocated to our district to implement the Budget
Challenge, a simulation that exposes students to relevant concepts in insurance, retirement,
payroll, investing, building credit, credit cards, loans and personal debt. For ten weeks,
students are sent bills that they are required to pay on time to avoid fees. There are
unexpected financial events that occur such as car accidents and job loss, which force
students to problem solve real-world situations. It is this kind of learning that flows beyond
her classroom walls and permeates into the halls, cafeteria, and study halls where students
continue to discuss these concepts. She has taken math, a subject that most students define

1101 Kennedy Road, Windsor, CT 06095 Phone: 860-243-0857  Fax: 860-286-2842  www.crecschools.org
 ACADEMY OF AEROSPACE AND ENGINEERING
GREATER HARTFORD ACADEMY OF MATH AND SCIENCE

as the very bane of their existence, and illustrates how it enhances their ability to think
critically about the world around them and logically about a situation.
Vera is the teacher with whom students build long-lasting relationships. She has a
rapport with students that is grounded in mutual trust and respect. She is positive,
supportive, and interested in their lives both in and out of school. She greets each student
individually upon entering her room. Her classroom is an environment in which students feel
valued and safe. Every interaction Vera has with students is encouraging, friendly, open, and
most often infused with humor. Under her guidance, students feel comfortable to take an
intellectual risk, challenge themselves, seek advice, and share with her in deepest confidence.
As the consummate professional, Vera displays the highest levels of integrity in the
workplace. She is always the first person at her duty. She is the first to volunteer for any
school activity from a staff potluck to a field trip or door decorating contest, and the first to
offer support and resources to a colleague, parent, or member of the community. She is
intellectually honest and conducts herself in a manner that is consistent with the high
standards of her inherit veteran leadership.
Therefore, it is without hesitation, but with a heavy heart, that I recommend Vera for a
mathematics position at your school. She will be a tremendous asset to your district, to your
students, and to your school community.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions about this incredible
teacher.

Thank you,

Sincerely,
Cara Quinn
English Department
Academy of Aerospace and Engineering
cquinn@crec.org
860-243-7534

1101 Kennedy Road, Windsor, CT 06095 Phone: 860-243-0857  Fax: 860-286-2842  www.crecschools.org