Recommendations:
The following are a few excerpts from people who have been kind enough to give me recommendations. The original documents are available in the left-hand column.
SIS Principal: Michael Neeland (now at the American School of the Hague)
"Mary Alice is an exceptional school librarian. Although the school has been in existence for 19 years, she is the first Western trained librarian that we have had. She has been able to take a room with books that we have called the "library" and make it the "heart" of the school from Kindergarten to grade 12."
"Mary Alice has many strengths and one that I enjoy observing is her interactions with students. She is driven by doing what is best for students. Through monthly themes and activities, she has been able to draw students into her area. One of my favorite activities was the Middle School Book Bowl. She selected 11 books from around the world that represented a variety of cultures and perspectives. The Middle School students then read the books as part of a competition that included making book marks, book jackets, writing letters from a characters perspective, and performing skits from the books. The students also took part in "quiz bowl" type activities to answer questions about the book. It was a fun competition and the students were engaged in reading. In addition, Mary Alice organized a book week at the elementary campus using the Olympics as a theme. During the "opening ceremony" Mary Alice was able to have a Chinese Olympic medal winner attend. The children were very excited about the activities and motivated to read."
ACST School Director: Patrick Meyer
" I can say without reservation that Ms. Osborne is truly knowledgeable and extremely effective in providing one of the best programs I have ever seen both overseas and within the United States. " ...
"The displays in the library have been incredible. They reflect what is happening in both the academic and activities programs. Ms. Osborne utilizes digital photography and produces wonderful collages and power point presentations for events and topical areas.
Mary Alice Osborne is an outstanding Librarian with multimedia skills vital to the successful operations of a school library media area. I recommend her without reservation. If the opportunity ever occurred I would rehire her. "
ACST Upper School Principal: Daphne Neale (now Director at the International Community School of Abidjan)
"It is obvious that Mary Alice is an excellent teacher and librarian and would be an invaluable addition to any organization or institution. Her sensitivity, overseas experience, and cultural awareness serve to enhance her effectiveness as a librarian and in the community at large. I am very impressed by her adaptability and flexibility and I would welcome any opportunity to work with her again. Mary Alice has been willing and able to do whatever she could for the good of the students and the school. She has been a tremendously positive asset to ACST, and at the same time that I applaud her efforts to grow professionally, I would be less than forthcoming if I did not say that I am saddened by the prospects of her leaving our school. I am certain, however and very confident that Mary Alice Osborne will make a positive addition to any school community that is fortunate enough to employ her."
ACST Director: Robert Thompson (now Director at ACARDA in Aleppo, Syria)
"Mary Alice Osborne is a very unusual educator. She is multi-talented and has tremendous dedication to making the very best of her work. She is not only an excellent Librarian, but brings great artistic and organizational talent to her work as well." ...
"Her list of accomplishments is outstanding and too long to list here.
Without reservation I give Mary Alice Osborne my highest recommendation."
WRVS School Board Chairman: Peter Herman
"I have known Mary Alice for 5 years or more, both as a friend and as an outstanding educator in our local elementary/middle school. Her talents and personal character are an impressive blend, and she has made an enormous difference to our school and the children who have been fortunate enough to be in her orbit. ..."
"In short, Mary Alice is an enormous resource for Waits River Valley School and would quickly become the same wherever she goes. My only request to her next organization is that you give her back to us. "
