Recommendation letters are another artifact often required for a Teaching Portfolio. First, GTAs must decide who to ask and how to ask for a recommendation letter. When deciding who to ask, a GTA should choose someone who knows them well and who is credible in their field. McDonald and Law advise that, “Depending on the reader, a letter from a first-year instructor may carry less weight than a letter written by a tenured professor with a long list of well-received publications, even in cases where the instructor has a much closer professional relationship with the candidate. In some circles, there is a tendency to read letters (especially very positive letters) from junior colleagues and sessional lecturers with undue skepticism. This is unfair and unfortunate” (164). Though this is “unfair and unfortunate,” it is a harsh reality of which GTAs should be aware when selecting a recommender. Likewise, deciding how to ask for a recommendation letter is a task most GTAs will experience. GTAs want to make sure the person they are asking is willing to write a positive reference letter, while making the process least burdensome as possible. Glickman also advises that, “When reaching out to ask for a letter of reference, explain up front and center why it is that you value that person’s opinion and respect their professional expertise enough so that you chose them (of all people) to vouch for you in your next professional endeavor” (5). By reflecting on who to choose and how to ask who you choose for a recommendation letter, GTAs are more likely to acquire a recommendation letter that positively reflects their capabilities, without only reflecting other Teaching Portfolio documents.

WHO TO ASK?:

  • How long have you known your recommender?
  • In what contexts can your recommender speak to your success (teaching, research, student)? The more contexts the better!
  • How does your recommender perceive you? Do you have a good relationship with this reviewer?
  • How well does your recommender know you? Can he/she say more than what is listed in your CV?

HOW TO ASK?:

  • Tell your recommender why you are asking them: Do you respect and admire them? Do you think they can vouch for your abilities?
  • Provide your recommender with all materials needed to speak to your success (CV, Teaching Philosophy, Cover Letter, etc.)
  • Ask your recommender if they would like you to provide a draft of a recommendation letter that they can alter/edit. This takes the workload off the recommender if they choose to do so.

LINKS TO POPULAR/SCHOLARLY SOURCES ON ASKING FOR RECOMMENDATION LETTERS: