It is my pleasure to write a letter of recommendation for music educator, Katie Ribik. Katie was an elementary music teacher at Roosevelt School in River Edge, NJ for five years (2003-2008). Her lessons engaged young students in developmentally appropriate music activities that taught them how to produce and appreciate all types of music.
During her years of teaching in River Edge, Ms. Ribik participated in extensive Orff Schulwerk training and applied the principles of this methodology to her teaching. Many performance opportunities were provided each year to allow students to practice and refine their skills. Ms. Ribik’s energy and exceptional management ability contributed to the success and pride her students experienced.
Ms. Ribik made music learning fun and interesting for her students. They were anxious to join enrichment music activities, such as chorus and guitar club, that met during lunchtimes and before school. The children truly enjoyed the time they spent in the classroom with Ms. Ribik.
It is with much enthusiasm that I support Ms. Ribik in her effort to provide early childhood music experiences in a private setting. Ms. Ribik’s skills as a music educator, high energy and creativity will surely make the classes she teaches both fun and engaging for young students. They will benefit from these experiences throughout their lives as they learn to appreciate music and gain confidence in their ability to perform for others.
- Erika Steinbauer, Katie’s former Employer, Superintendent, River Edge Public Schools, River Edge, NJ
“Ms. Ribik’s love of kids and music along with her positive and up-beat manner made her classroom a place where students loved to come to perform.”
Ms. Kate Ribik was the general music teacher here at Roosevelt for six years. Ms. Ribik took over a program that was very traditional with a focus on vocal music. She introduced rhythm, various instruments, and infused technology into her lessons. That, along with her great personality, turned the music program into one of our most fun and popular specials for our students. Ms. Ribik’s love of kids and music along with her positive and up-beat manner made her classroom a place where students loved to come to perform. Ms. Ribik turned students on to music. In addition, she was also the director of our chorus and director of our second grade play. She organized over 100 students who performed annually in the holiday and spring concerts. Her second grade play was one of the highlights of the school year. For the play, Ms. Ribik worked with grade level teachers and parents organizing rehearsals, costumes and scenery.
Ms. Ribik also worked with classroom teachers on cross-curricular projects. She would design her music lessons to coincide with classroom units of study. One example of this was her Civil War in Song unit. Dividing the sixth grade classes into North and South each group sang the songs of the period from their respective side. Students had great fun with the project and it reinforced their study of the period.
Ms. Ribik taught guitar to some of her students privately. She often used these students as accompanists in the concerts. Ms. Ribik also used talented student piano players for some of the numbers as well.
Ms. Ribik is a very talented and accomplished musician. She is a teacher who gets the best out of her students. It is without hesitation that I recommend her for any position in your school or as a private music instructor. Please do not hesitate to call if you have further questions.
- Tony Vouvalides, Katie’s former Employer, Principal, Roosevelt Elementary School, River Edge, NJ
