authenticity?” English teacher and upper“When I was trying to think of teachclassmen teacher adviser Erin Angell says. ers to request for a rec letter, I thought “There’s something of the classes in that’s almost counterwhich I asked the intuitive about saying most questions ‘Let’s try to game reand participated “There’s something lationships.’” the most in class,” that’s almost For others, the senior Yoko Kadistinction between counterintuitive about nai says. “Those picking teachers and teachers tend to saying ‘Let’s try to “grooming” them for be the ones who game relationships.’” a rec has rarely been know me best as a — Erin Angell, student.” of concern. English teacher and “I don’t think For classes it’s so much the that don’t have as upperclassmen teacher students gaming the much built-in dissystem, as much the cussion, however, reality of what they have to do to get into getting the teacher to know you well can college,” math teacher Kathy Bowers says. be harder. “Teenagers are teenagers. I don’t know if AP Chemistry teacher Carolina Sylthe teenage brain can think that far ahead vestri believes that these personal relationand be that manipulative in a year.” ships should be partly initiated by teachers, Many students develop these genuine so that they can find out more about each relationships with teachers through their student. effort, in-class participation, and enthusi“For me as a teacher, it is always asm about the subject. one of my objectives to get into a good,
positive teacher relationship with each student,” Sylvestri says. “I enjoy doing it.” A letter doesn’t equal good letters
When it comes to solid letters of recommendation, character matters more than grades. Recommendation letters may seem easier to attain when you have solid grades consistently or participate actively. But will having lower grades or staying quiet in class hurt your chances of a good letter? For the most part, teachers say no. According to Filppu, the way kids treat others, the attitudes they bring, and the insight they offer in class say much more than an “A.” “If you’re a B student or maybe you’ve had some errors, don’t ever think you can’t ask a teacher for letters,” Filppu says. “It’s my pleasure to write letters for kids who maybe don’t have stellar transcripts, but have been good people, been respectful, and have brought a ton into the Paly community.”
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