Reference Letter - Deanna Piedimonte ePortfolio

April 2015
To whom it may concern, It is my pleasure to highly recommend Deanna Piedimonte for a teaching position. I have known Deanna for the past two years. She has been an exemplary volunteer in a variety of Community Engagement programs at ACU and has demonstrated an absolute commitment to all her pursuits. Deanna is a young woman of integrity with a strong sense of social justice and equity. She is passionate in her actions to make a positive difference in the lives of people who experience social exclusion. Deanna has volunteered her time to many endeavours to support the educational needs of others and has been a leader in community capacity building programs both locally and overseas. In the Homework Support Program at Atherton Gardens, she readily demonstrated creative responses when reaching out to the needs of children from refugee backgrounds that experience disadvantage. Deanna demonstrates real leadership qualities which were evidenced in her role as group leader in the Live Give Learn Program in Thailand, where she led a group of 20 university student volunteers to teach full time over a number of weeks, with few resources to a non-­‐English speaking community in the hill tribes in a remote area out of Chiang Mai. Not only was Deanna extremely well organised, her teaching skills were outstanding and the lesson planning and group management was extraordinary. She embodies a true reflection of social justice in action as she lives the mission of ACU. It is wonderful to bear witness to Deanna’s delightful and engaging character. She is able to instantly build rapport with others and respond in a positive and respectful manner to a variety of difficult circumstances. Deanna is exceptional on so many levels; she has an undeniable generosity of spirit, always willing to extend herself and has a natural gift for teaching and community engagement. She would be an outstanding asset to any team; I would certainly want Deanna on mine. Should you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact me on 0417 373466. Yours Sincerely Mary Campbell
Relations Coordinator
Institute for Advancing Community Engagement
Australian Catholic University
Level 5, room 19, 115 Victoria Pde | Fitzroy Victoria 3065| Ph: +61 399533381| Fax: (03) 9495 6432