Living the Dream

Testimonials and references are hard to do at the best of times
because you are asked to describe a person in your own words,
the best that you can.  With Carol Desjarlais, I’m afraid there would
not be enough time, nor space, nor enough readers patient enough
to read it all!
 
In the short time I have known her, I have been overwhelmed with
her sharp perceptions, her keen insight into humanity and the way
she seems to breeze through life, not expecting anything, and therefore
not letting anything disappoint her. 
 
Her Spirituality seems to be her best friend, and one who has never
failed her.  She is a model example of how one should live, overcoming
life’s harsh obstacles with the cheer and the smile of a young and innocent child.
 
When I communicated with her the first time, just the words written back and
the way she wrote told me volumes of how she lives and loves her world.
She has a poetic and equally simple way in her written expression, that can be
soaked up and understood by anyone in any of the numerous walks of life.
 
It is an honor to represent Carol Desjarlais - to give reference to someone
who I have not yet met, but for whom I would do the impossible.
In the short time we have communicated, she has shown me more love,
understanding and unequalled patience and empathy than most of my friends
that I have known for years.
 
Well done, Carol!
 
Luc Majno, NB  June 2006

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To Whom It May Concern:

I have been Carol Desjarlais’ supervisor for four years.  Carol came to us as the teacher for the youth Camp, and open-custody facility near our community.  Carol brought creativity, understanding and acceptance to her young charges and was successful in that position.  When the Department of Justice close the facility Carol came to our school as a grade seven transitional program teacher.  Carol taught students who had not experienced success with the regular curriculum.   In addition Carol was the primary teacher of a teenage non-verbal autistic youth.  Even though Carol’s teaching assignment was demanding, Carol found time to work with a group of troubled girls, counseling them and helping them develop self-esteem and confidence.

Carol has been a valuable member of our middle school team.  She has brought alternative methods of education to our school and helped our students become more successful academically.  I believe Carol is most proud of those students who acquired sufficient skills to be moved into a more academic program.

Carol’s focus during the time she has been at my school has been to reach the whole child, to help them develop skills that will lead to better opportunities and to help them address the issues that have plagued their development.

Carol has also been very active in the community, working with the Women’s Shelter to help the ladies increase their self-esteem and end the cycle of violence.

I believe Carol Desjarlais will be an asset to any organization she joins.

Yours truly,

Vice-principal,  June 2005.

* name and particulars available upon request.

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To Whom It May Concern:

I am pleased to write this brief letter of reference.  I have been personally and professionally acquainted with Carol for approximately 5 years.  Throughout the duration of our association I have consistently found her to be conscientious, dedicated and a tireless advocate for the students with whom she works.  Carol initially worked in a youth detention facility supported through our school before transferring into our actual campus where she has since worked with many of our special needs students in middle school as well as with our high school IOP program.  She has also organized student support programs focused on building respect and esteem in at-risk students as part of her commitment to our Safe and Caring School initiative. 

Carol has proven herself to be a well organized, confident and highly effective teacher in a variety of capacities which also included some counseling duties with students who either sought out her expertise or were referred directly by administration.  It is with a great deal of regret that we have seen her leave our school as it will be difficult to replace her vast experience and specific expertise as she proved adept at working with many of our special needs students.  Carol is well respected by colleagues and students alike and has performed her duties with confidence and compassion.  It is common for students to seek her out for academic and personal direction as she is able to provide them guidance, assistance and encouragement. 

I am certain that she would be an asset to any staff as she is able to work effectively with a diverse range of personnel and students.     I have no reservations in recommending her to you as a capable and committed teacher.  Should you require any additional information about this prospective candidate I would be pleased to entertain your queries.
Principal 2005 - name and address given upon request.

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About a year ago, I encountered for the first time the work of a Maine poet, Carol Desjarlais. Immediately, I found myself spellbound, captivated, and intrigued by the breadth of her poetic repertoire.
 
This woman’s works are no mere pretty pennings; they are the products of her soul. They speak of the sanctity of this world on which we walk, of the Sacred Spirit in all things; they convince, provoke, enlighten, soothe, and probe to the very depths of what it is to be a human being.
 
Carol can write with equal honesty and authenticity of the pain and wonder of motherhood, the breeze wafting through a stand of pines, a sacred spot she has created, or the varied facets of the human condition. She can condense an image into brilliantly succinct form.  Each day, I receive writings from Carol, and I always look forward to them, for none are the same. Sometimes, the inspiration for a poem of my own emanates from something Carol has written, a phrase or thought that picks in my brain until verse emerges.
 
There is one character created by Carol to whom I have become quite attached: Riverside Louis. Every community has its Louis, and this colourful personality can even be said to exist  in various guises in most of us in some way, shape, or form.
 
Those who read the work of this poet will undoubtedly find themselves drawn in, as was I. Readers will find the of their souls stirred and probed  as never before. Carol Desjarlais is a force of nature, a Teacher of the highest order, and the power of her work will astound not only on first perusal, but on an on-going basis.

Carol Knepper   June 06
 
 

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The Democratic Popular Republic of Algeria
Wilaya of Skikda
Amouadj Publishing House
The Cultural center of Ramdane Djamel
Skikda 21425 Algeria
Attestation
We M.Ahcene Douas the director of Amouadj publishing house attest that the poet: Carol Dejarlais from Alberta, Canada as a member of our consultative staff has contributed in the successfulness of the house by revising our literary publications and by writing prefaces for our translated books.

the Director
Ahcene Douas

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