SCHOOL OF EDUCATION Stanford University Stanford, California 94305-3096
Thursday, October 02, 2003
Phone: (415) 723-2109 Fax: (415) 725-7412
Dear SFUSDIt is with great pleasure that I write this letter of recommendation for Javon Demetrius Cogmon. Javon worked at San Francisco Community School as the school's Student Advisor for five years between 1991 and 1996. As Head Teacher at the school, I worked closely with Javon as his supervisor. His work at the school was exemplary. Javon is an intelligent, caring human being. He has great people skills and works well with children and adults. Javon has a special gift with children. He has high expectations for the children with whom he works and he supports them wholeheartedly to meet those expectations. While at the school it was not at all unusual for Javon to spend his own time helping a child who was in need. He was effective in finding resources for children and he was always available to children who just needed someone with whom to talk. He acted as mentor, big brother, advocate and counselor to students at the school. In each of these roles he was exceptional. As student advisor Javon also worked closely with the families of students at the school. He was always sensitive and perceptive in dealing with families from various cultural backgrounds. He understood the importance of families and schools working together and he consistently worked to make that happen. As an employee Javon was always responsible. If a job needed to be done, Javon would not leave until it was completed. Javon consistently demonstrated his commitment to the school and to the children with whom he worked. On a personal note I truly enjoyed working with Javon. He is perceptive about human relations. He has a great sense of humor and positive outlook on life. His excellent work during my tenure as Head Teacher made my job easier. Javon will be a great asset to anyone who hires him. His exceptional skills with children, his perceptivity, his commitment to making things better for children - make him an excellent candidate for any position. It is with great confidence that I recommend Javon Demetrius. If you have any questions or would like to speak, please feel free to call (415) 337-1440. Sincerely, Deborah Faigenbaum Doctoral Candidate Curriculum and Teacher Education Stanford University
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SUPERINTENDENT NORIVT{N D. FOBERT.
ASSISTANT SUPARINTENDANT ELAINEH, WHITNEY
June 1,2010
To Whom It May Concern:
I am pleased to provide
a reference and recommendation
for Javon-Demetrius Cogmon. Nh. Cogmon
worked under my supervision during his employment with the San Francisco Unified School District (2016-2A07). Mr. Cogmon worked for the County Community Schools and the Dropout Prevention
Office. Both of these organizations served high school dropouts and at-risk students, ages 14-20. He worked closely with teachers, counseloffi, parents, and community members to coordinate the delivery
of support services for students. He used his bilingual and interpersonal skills to meet the needs of a diverse socioeconomic and cultural group of secondary students. Mr. Cogmon also provided support services for high school dropouts in a community college
setting. Due to Mr. Cogmon's diligent work
with students, his caseload of students increased their academic success and school completion during his time with San Francisco Unified School District.
Mr. Cogmon is a talented and innovative educator. His use of techrrology in an educational setting is phenomenal and highly applicable to serving the needs of at-risk youth in the 21't century. He is resourceful, well-organized, and inspirational. He works equally well with faculty members, administratorso community representatives, and
youth. He is very passionate about his commitment to
providing educational opportunities for all students. Mr. Cogmon is respected and admired by his peers and colleagues. He is a team player and is adept in collaborating on projects in the workplace,
recommend him highly for any
K-l2
I
and post-secondary positions for which his education and
experience meet the requirements. Please contact me at 415-710-0837 to discuss his qualifications in greater detail.
Assi stant
S
uperintendent
October 30, 2008 To Whom It May Concern: In the last three years, I have seen my professional life and my school community transformed by the contributions that Javon has made here at Oakland School for the Arts (OSA). The school is in its 6th year of operation and I’m in my 3rd year of teaching English at the high school level. Like many young, charter schools, OSA has experienced growing pains and instability. In my first year and a half, institutional changes here had created a culture of distrust. Before Javon arrived as the Director of Student Affairs, I was seriously worried about the way the school handled discipline, communication with families, and conflict resolution. We often communicated with families and students as a reaction to a situation, but did little work toward any preventative measures. Through Javon’s support and guidance, the school community has learned how to give students and the faculty the support necessary for growth. He has quickly expanded my notion of what the position of Dean can and must be. It would be inaccurate for me to say that he is merely the main support person for discipline issues at the school; however, this is clearly part of his job. To solely focus on discipline would be to ignore the very unique and powerful approach that Javon takes. He looks to foster reflection, self-awareness and critical thinking. What starts off as a discipline issue is approached as “an opportunity for growth”, as he’s fond of saying. When I have sent students to his office, they often come back calm and with a new understanding of the circumstance. He is able to peel away the layers of defensiveness and distrust in order to push students to mature and choose a more productive path for themselves. His presence and practice has truly transformed some of the lives of the students here, particularly the lives of young men of color that struggle to express their frustration. One student that comes to mind is a young man who I have worked with for 3 years, and in the last year, I have seen him take a constructive approach to conflicts and express an awareness of his own challenges. A student that once lashed out, screaming across the classroom, now helps council middle school students through conflict resolution. The impact that he’s had on the community doesn’t end with discipline; he has also restructured the student government and streamlined special needs education plans for students. Again, his approach is built upon a fundamental belief in empowerment. Previously, students were elected to office to fill various positions and worked together to organize school activities -- most schools approach student government in this way. Javon had the vision to see that student government needed to be open to students that didn’t win the popularity contest but had much to offer. He understood that student government needed to be a meaningful experience beyond just picking out the colors for the prom. Students are currently developing workshops on significant issues about the
July 9, 2010 Application Review Committee C/O Edie Hoffman
To Whom It May Concern: I am pleased to write to you on behalf of Javon-Demetrius (JD) Cogmon, with whom I have worked for three years at Oakland School for the Arts (OSA). As Director of Student Affairs, JD has been an invaluable asset to our school. I have been with OSA since 2005. Since joining our team, JD has been a driving force in decreasing volatility between parents and staff; strengthening communication between teachers and administrators; and improving student conduct—not by force, but through consistent, strategic guidance and the establishment of a culture of leadership, accountability and respect. Our students view JD as their advocate and ally. By patient example, JD has taught our campus community the value of responsible communication. His tact, transparency and focus upon long-term outcomes (rather than minutiae or short-term coups) have won the buy-in and support of every constituency of our school. On a personal note: JD is often the first colleague to put a smile on one’s face, despite the usual workday challenges. JD coordinates with faculty, administrators, parents, families and other nonprofit organizations to create student learning and development opportunities—both classroom-based and extracurricular. He manages our Student Government, and knows most of our (over 500) students by name. He spearheads the development, implementation and evaluation of policies and regulations pertaining to student life, oversees annual production of the Student Handbook and other documents, administers internal judicial and disciplinary procedures, and serves as an ambassador and a liaison between our alumni, parents, students, neighbors, community leaders, and partner organizations. More importantly: JD juggles his many roles and responsibilities with congeniality, wisdom and much-needed humor. I would hate to see JD leave our school. We would miss the positive morale and consummate professionalism that he has brought to OSA. However, I know that he cares deeply about educational administration, and wants to increase his already substantial skill set. I recommend him to you without reserve. Best, Soma Mei Sheng Frazier Director of Institutional Advancement Oakland School for the Arts
criminal justice system, sexism, oppression, identity formation, gentrification and equitable education to name a few. With regard to 504 and special needs, Javon is working hard to improve communication regarding student needs and the best ways that teachers can support those needs. He has created a website for teachers to share private notes, teaching strategies, and concerns about individual students. He has also refined the process by which teachers review and recommend modifications and accommodations, so that the time used to support special needs students is maximized. In all, I feel that I owe a great deal to him. My craft as a teacher has been greatly improved by watching him work with students and talking with him about the best way to resolve or mitigate conflicts. He has become a true community leader, advocating for parents, teachers, and students. Finding the common ground among divergent groups is, to say the least, not easy. He has a gift in this area, and I’m thankful for each day that I am able to learn from his wealth of experience. Sincerely,
Abbey N. Kerins Engish/Literary Arts teacher
SCHOOL OF THE
A
RTS
The academy of arts and sciences 555 PORTOLA DRIVE SAN FRANCISCO, CA. 94131 www.sfsota.org October 30, 2008 To: From: Re:
Educational Institutions Donn Harris, Principal Mr. J.D. Cogmon
I am writing a letter of recommendation for Mr. J.D. Cogmon, who has worked for the past two years at the Oakland School for the Arts Secondary School in the capacity of the Dean of Student Affairs. At times, Mr. Cogmon was the sole supervisor on site and performed a wide range of duties that included all aspects of site leadership, facility management, student discipline and faculty supervision. Mr. Cogmon handled these diverse duties expertly and professionally. His growth in administrative areas of responsibility is nothing short of remarkable, and I have every confidence that he will be a superb administrator in a public secondary school. Mr. Cogmon was instrumental in creating many new programs on our campus. He has instituted student leadership and peer resolution programs that have greatly assisted students. Mr. Cogmon’s strengths include team-building, strategic planning and supervision of staff and teachers. In this last area he is particularly effective. In a complex and flexible environment, he has set high standards for himself and students. Mr. Cogmon has also come to master the challenging tasks associated with negotiating the processes of a large urban school district, developing skills associated with Special Education and 504 plans. Mr. Cogmon’s ability to multi-task and handle complex problems has been challenged and developed to a high degree. Please e-mail me at dkh_1@comcast.net with further inquiries regarding Mr. J.D. Cogmon.
Sincerely, Donn K. Harris Executive Director