Belen Magers, Principal John Muir Middle School

It is with great pride and privilege that I write this letter of recommendation for Ms. Shella Zelenz. Ms. Zelenz was our vocal music director for Newark Junior High School for the school year 2004-2005. Our school district had to compete with several others assuring Ms. Zelenz's acceptance of our employment offer because she possesses the qualifications and skills that are needed to open a top-notch performing arts program. 

At Newark Junior High School, Ms. Zelenz created the vocal music program from scratch. She had the expert knowledge and skills to develop a standards-based vocal music curriculum, research, purchase, and organize curriculum materials, and develop, implement, and maintain a production calendar, among many other additional responsibilities as was mandated by the district and the state.

Ms. Zelenz provided our students with both music education and music appreciation as expected from a  music teacher. More than that, she has taught our students the value of working hard to get where they want to be. We have students who entered her classes not knowing anything about music and revolting that they were in a music class. A few weeks into her class and especially after the concert that culminated the class activities, these same students have grown into the appreciation of what Ms. Zelenz has taught them and what they have accomplished, so much so that most of these students ended up taking music as their high school elective.

For a first year and novice program, Ms. Zelenz took our school choir to their first state competition and came home with an award winning choir and an award winning vocalist. If there is anyone who can produce such transformation, it is Ms. Zelenz. 

Belen Magers, Principal

John Muir Middle School

Recommendation from Palm Springs Unified School Board President

I am writing to offer my highest personal and professional recommendation for Shella Zelenz. Shella is one of those rare people who gets along with everyone, and I find her diligence, dedication, and attention to detail to be remarkable. I've come to know her as a true advocate of youth, education, and community.

Ms. Zelenz is an utterly reliable, hardworking team player. Her smile and positive attitude survive the toughest situations. Her impressive variety of skills, her reliability and strong work ethic make her an excellent choice.

Justin Blake, President

Palm Springs Unified School District Governing Board

Letter of Recommendation from MSJC Music Dept. Chair

This letter is to recommend Shella Zelenz. Mt. San Jacinto College has employed Shella since 2005 as an instructor. She is an excellent instructor who has been a great asset to the MSJC faculty. Her skills as a communicator and educator have made her a popular instructor at MSJC.

She currently instructs our music fundamentals class. Recently she broadened her skills by teaching an online section of music history as well. Shella is very comfortable with technology and enjoys the challenge of new experiences. 

It is with great pleasure that I give my recommendation of her.

Dr. Phillip Morrione

Music Department Chair

Mt. San Jacinto College

Recommendation from Visual and Performing Arts Director for Berkeley Unified School District

It is my pleasure to recommend Shella Zelenz as a music teacher. Ms. Zelenz taught instrumental music in grades 4 - 6 in the Berkeley Unified School District in February and March 2011. Although her time in Berkeley was brief, she had a tremendous positive impact on the Music Department. Ms. Zelenz was the long-term substitute in a position that had been filled by a series of daily substitutes; the students felt abandoned and were making little progress in music. Within a week Ms Zelenz had established class norms, created curriculum and set learning goals for each class. In the short time she was with the students, they made excellent progress. She is well organized and easily handled the challenges of teaching 170 students at seven schools. 

Ms. Zelenz instituted section rehearsals for the sixth grade band so that the students developed skills individually as well as collectively. She truly cares about the achievement of all of her students and is very attentive to the musical and socio-emotional needs of each young person. Ms. Zelenz is especially aware of students facing challenges at school and at home and made every effort to help those students build skills and become successful members of her classes. At staff meetings, she brought knowledge and experience to team collaboration on curriculum and assessment; she handled each task and challenge very professionally and adeptly.

Shella Zelenz is a well qualified and skilled music teacher who will bring her passion for music to any and every classroom.

Suzanne McCulloch, Visual and Performing Arts Director

Berkeley Unified School District

Recommendation from Rocco Stanzione - adult student

Rocco Stanzione

I had hit a plateau in my piano playing, and was stuck on a piece that required elaborate fingering I couldn't figure out, and had bits of notation I'd never seen before in sheet music. I probably had no business attempting this piece, but instead of giving up I scheduled a lesson with Shella. She solved my fingering problem seemingly without having to think about it, and walked me through practicing it until we were both sure I "got it". She explained the theory and practice of the odd notation at a level of (useful!) detail I could hardly believe. She pointed out some issues I didn't even know I had with the piece, answered a dozen or so other questions expertly, and had time left over to squeeze in a very valuable lesson on music theory. I could feel myself "level up" in just that hour. If there's a better teacher out there than Shella, I can hardly imagine what that would look like. Thank you Shella

Recommendation from Band Director, David Jackson

Shella and I worked together at Newark Junior High School for the 2004-2005 school year. She taught choir and I taught band. Throughout the school year, Shella proved to be professional, hard working and diligent.

Shella displayed a consistent pattern of professionalism with the arts department, our other colleagues, and the community. She was very effective in communicating the abundant amount of information that is needed in order to have successful concerts and field trips to the staff and the community. As a result, the students were prepared to do outstanding jobs for the performances and field trips losing a minimal amount of time in the other classes. She resurrected the choir program and has left it in a position for continued success.

Shella demonstrated a work ethic that allowed her to succeed as the choir director while also giving private lessons and joined various performance groups. She volunteered to put together a joint band and choir Disneyland trip. There was a total of 90 people including adult chaperones, and Shella did an outstanding job of putting the entire trip together. The trip was so organized that the students, as well as the parents, had a great time. It was the first time I know of, that any students from the middle school went to Disneyland in the last 10 years. 

The challenges and hurdles that Shella faced while putting together the Disneyland trip as well as the elaborate concerts she hosted took diligence. She had to learn the paperwork, procedures, and other intricate details in order to get it all accomplished. Her effectiveness in getting through all of the red tape gave the entire arts department confidence in electing her to lead a trip to Great America. All four classes of the arts department took students to Great America, and Shella again was the leader and organizer of that trip. She did an outstanding job as usual, in part because of the diligence she showed day in and day out. 

It is for these reasons that I highly recommend Shella. Her professionalism, hard work, and diligence has enabled her to get the most out of her adult boosters as well as the students that she teaches. She has set a standard of excellence in the arts department that we are all striving to reach.

David Jackson,

Band Director

Newark Junior High School