4

I am a teaching assistant for a biology teacher. When I took biology 3 years ago, she was my teacher. There is another teacher who she works EXTREMELY closely with, and there is essentially no differentiation between the two teachers regarding what I help out with, and I am close with both of them.

Is it appropriate for me to get a letter of recommendation from one of them even though I took the class as a freshman and am now a junior teaching assistant? For any other freshman teachers, I would not consider getting a letter of recommendation; however, I have gone far above and beyond the normal duties of a teaching assistant -- namely designing and implementing labs, grading, and even teaching the class as a substitute (there was an official proxy but I did the teaching). Humbly, I am quite appreciated, trusted and I have no doubt that I would receive quite a stunning recommendation letter. I would love to have a recommendation from one of the two marvellous teachers that I TA for, but I cannot decide which one -- the one whom the position is designated to? I feel there is potential for the other to be offended, and I would much prefer that that didn't happen. A selfish part of me wants the 'better' writer to write my letter, although I don't know who that is and I would prefer not to think of it that way (though a part of me suspects that is it the teacher to whom my position is not officially designated).

Just to clarify, I am in high school, and the recommendation letter is for undergrad/combined university programs.

Is it appropriate for me to get a letter of recommendation from one of these teachers? If so, how should I choose?

Edit: one of the teachers is also the advisor for a club that I am president of.

Improve this question
1
  • 1
    Undergraduate admissions are off-topic here. I'm not sure what a 'combined' program is nor how their admission process differs, but I imagine that class performance will play a greater role than for graduate admissions, which are really primarily concerned with research ability (which is a quite different skill). So the usual answers you would get here may not apply in your case.
    – nengel
    Nov 26, 2017 at 6:52

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
4

yes, anyone who has supervised your work is suitable to be a recommender. You should solicit recommends who can give you the best recommendation and also whose professional status is most impressive.

Improve this answer
1

Pick the writer who can best attest to your performance and ability to work in a graduate setting. Being a student is one factor, being able to assist in teaching in another.

You have the best knowledge as to who will be better for you.

Improve this answer
5
  • Mm yes, thank you; however, is it academically acceptable for me to receive a letter from one of these teachers at all? I ask because I know that universities and applications place favor on recent teachers.
    – Equinox
    Nov 26, 2017 at 6:11
  • I don't believe there are restrictions except for writers who are family and friends. Although there is a preference for professors, employers would work as well.
    – Bluebird
    Nov 26, 2017 at 6:13
  • Thank you. Consider this +1, I don't have enough rep yet.
    – Equinox
    Nov 26, 2017 at 6:15
  • @Equinox place the tick to accept the answer - does not need rep...
    – Solar Mike
    Nov 26, 2017 at 6:25
  • Correct, I am waiting to see if anybody else answers with contrary opinions -- an accepted answer will often deter others. I am quite an active user of SE and SEO, although my posts are numbered.
    – Equinox
    Nov 26, 2017 at 6:29

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .