October 14th, 2005

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to speak to the tremendous influence Dr. Anabel Jensen has had on me as a teacher, mentor, and human being.

I have known Anabel since 2001 thorough the single-subject teaching credential program at Notre Dame de Namur University. I first met her when she was my instructor in a psychological foundations class for the program. I remember being immediately impressed by her uniqueness as an instructor. On the first day it was clear that she was interested not just in teaching content but in teaching students. Through her warm nature and infectious personality she was immediately able to create a sense of community in the class. In my opinion, she took teaching to a whole new level that I'm not sure I had ever encountered. Not only was it clear that she was an extremely interesting individual with a tremendous amount to offer each person in the class, but it was also clear how much she was interested in each individual in the class and what they had to offer to everyone else.

When I left her course, I found myself incredibly excited about modeling her techniques as a classroom leader. In particular, Anabel began each day with a “ritual” of sharing in which each person in the class had the opportunity to explore themselves and share their thoughts and experiences with the rest of the class. The ritual that perhaps had the biggest influence on me as a teacher was one in which she asked students in the class to share good news and/or conscious acts of kindness in their life. I found this ritual so beautiful, and so effective in building a class community that felt positive and welcoming. And I deeply appreciated the focus on the goodness in our lives. In fact, I appreciated this activity so much that I integrated and expanded upon in my teaching at Gunn High School the following year. To this day, four years later, I begin every day of my class with such a ritual and the results have been tremendous. The first year I started it, my class culture was transformed. Tardies dropped dramatically as people did not want to miss the discussions at the beginning of the period, and in-class participation increased dramatically. A couple of years later I asked students to reflect upon their experience in the class, and a majority of them mentioned how special, powerful, and enjoyable “good news day” was. And this was a science class! More than perhaps any other person, Anabel has had an influence on my approach as a teacher. I see my role not just as an instructor, but as a mentor, a guide, and a friend. As a teacher, I am beyond appreciative for the opportunity to have been instructed, mentored, and guided by Anabel. She has helped me realize and teach that emotional intelligence is a far greater asset to students than book smarts, in the classroom and in life. Since meeting and being taught by her, I have only strengthened my commitment to teaching with emotional intelligence in mind.

After I left her class, I remained in touch with Anabel. In fact, I valued her so much as a mentor and friend that I asked her if she would be willing to meet with me on a regular basis as a personal and professional coach. She was more than willing and excited to do so, and we have been meeting regularly off and on now for the past 2-3 years. She has not only helped me focus on improving myself as a teacher, but more so as a human being. She's challenged me to examine aspects of myself and my life that have brought me great reward and progress, and has offered me wisdom and guidance and knowledge that has been invaluable to me. Anabel is so well-educated and versed when it comes to findings in emotional intelligence research, I can't imagine anyone knowing more than she. In fact, she is lovingly joked about by many who know her well for always being able to refer to some kind of research-based fact or conclusion for almost any context relating to emotional intelligence. Beyond her level of knowledge, however, is a wisdom that is rooted in her experience and approach to life. Anabel has faced many challenges in her life, and has made the effort to reflect upon them on the deepest of levels to uncover truths and insights that she can turn around and offer to others. And yet, in spite of these challenges, Anabel is one of the most positive, hopeful, inspiring people I have ever met. She has become a good and valued friend, and definitely ranks among the most influential people in my life.

Any person would most certainly benefit greatly and uniquely from their contact with Dr. Anabel Jensen, and wish every person the opportunity to do so.

With the greatest pleasure and sincerity,

Josh B. Bloom
NDNU Graduate
Gunn High School Science Teacher
jbloom@pausd.org