Reply to Teachers, how do you tactfully refuse to write a recommendation letter?

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[quote=Anonymous]I'm a HS teacher who doesn't teach a core subject.  My subject is one where kids who struggle in other subjects sometimes do really well.  So, it can be a place for a kid to shine.  My subject is also one where I get to know the kids better than their English or Math teacher might.   Generally kids come to me to write letters of recommendation for one of three reasons.

1) They know me and we interact well, and they're too shy to ask other teachers.

2) They're hoping to pursue a career in the field.

3) I'm the only class they're doing well in.

I've never told a kid no, that I won't write a letter, but when a kid comes to me I ask them what they want to study, and why they picked me.  I then give them feedback, basically saying "Here's what I'd be able to say about you." and sometimes "Here's what I can't say about you".  Usually the latter isn't negative feedback, it's more like "I'd be delighted to write for you, if you're interested in a career in journalism, you might want a teacher who can talk about your writing ability.  Since we don't write much in this class, I wonder if you'd be better served by a letter from an English teacher.  Why don't you think about it, and come back to me.  I won't be hurt if you change your mind."

I then ask kids to write me an email detailing things about them that I might want to include, but might not know.  So, for example, I might not know that a kid volunteers in a related field, or that she keeps her grades up despite playing 3 varsity sports, or that her summer job was related.

The other thing that I will do is that if I know that a kid struggles outside my class, I might approach them and tell them "I know that at this time of the year, kids are often wondering who to ask to write their letter recommendations.  I feel like I have a lot of things I could say about you such as . . . If you think a letter like that, for college or for a job, would be helpful, just let me know!"[/quote]

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